US President Donald Trump, strategically located in the Indian Ocean Diego Garcia on the island that they have no intention of withdrawing from the air base explained. The statement was announced in a message shared by the president himself on the social network called Truth Social.
According to Trump, this facility is vital to US strategic air operations and directly affects missions in the Middle East and other sensitive regions.
Trump also spoke to the British Prime Minister about control of the base, following a recent agreement regarding the archipelago in which the island is located. Keir Starmer He emphasized that he continues his talks with.
The US President said he understood that the UK’s lease with Mauritius was viewed by many as “the best possible deal”, but he issued a direct warning:
I understand that the deal reached by Prime Minister Starmer is, for many people, the best deal that could have been made. However, if the lease collapses at any point in the future or if someone threatens or compromises U.S. operations and forces at our base, I reserve the right to provide security militarily and strengthen the American presence in Diego Garcia.
Trump also criticized what he described as “false statements or environmental nonsense” and said he would not allow the US presence at such an important base to be weakened or endangered. According to him, Diego Garcia is indispensable for the national security of the United States.
Background of the agreement
Diego Garcia Atoll is located within the Chagos Archipelago, which was historically part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The United Kingdom signed an agreement to hand over control of the archipelago to Mauritius in May 2025.
However, according to the agreement reached, London will retain the 99-year lease of the military base and will ensure that the USA continues to operate the air base there.
U.S. bombers departing from Diego Garcia flew combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq; This enabled the island to become one of the most important power projection points of the United States outside the mainland.
Previous reviews
Trump publicly criticized the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer the islands to Mauritius in January. He said at the time that China and Russia would have interpreted this step as “a sign of complete weakness” and reiterated his view that the US presence in Diego Garcia should be preserved and, if necessary, expanded.
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Source and images: af.mil | TruthSocial. This content was prepared with the support of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.
