Donald Trump has refused to support the Chagos deal unless Sir Keir Starmer permits the use of the joint UK-US military base to strike Iran.
The President reportedly asked to utilise Diego Garcia, the site of the US-UK base, if the American military decides to launch strikes against Iran.
The US has been engaged in talks with Iran about denuclearisation for the third time, but so far, these discussions have not yielded a tangible agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that the two sides had made “good progress,” although there is no evidence that they are any closer to a deal.
The US has repeatedly threatened military action if an agreement is not reached, having deployed aircraft, troops, and two aircraft carriers—the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln—to the region, reflecting concerns over regional stability.
Downing Street has long maintained that strikes against Iran would violate international law, emphasising the delicate balance of diplomacy and military readiness.
Whitehall sources have indicated that the White House is unwilling to change its position on the Chagos deal until the use of the base is permitted, highlighting the deal’s importance for US military strategy. Critics have labelled the deal a ‘surrender,’ as it would involve Britain transferring control of the islands to Mauritius, while the US-UK joint base would operate under a 99-year lease, underscoring its geopolitical implications.
Last week, Trump advised Sir Keir not to ‘give away Diego Garcia,’ just days after the US State Department expressed its support for the deal, illustrating the conflicting views within US policy. On Wednesday, a minister acknowledged that the deal had been ‘paused’ while the UK discusses it with the US, as it cannot proceed without American consent. However, the Prime Minister later denied that the deal had been paused, reflecting ongoing political debate.
While the US can freely operate at Diego Garcia due to the 1966 diplomatic notes, the Foreign Office retains a veto if operations deviate from ‘normal.’ This detail helps the audience grasp the legal framework influencing base use and US-UK relations.
Previous strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025 did not involve the use of the Diego Garcia base. Still, it is understood that subsequent strikes could consist of a more sustained bombing campaign, with the US military seeking to operate from both the Chagos Islands and the UK.
During his State of the Union address, Trump provided an update on the negotiations and outlined his legal and political case for action. “We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon,’” he stated.
Trump’s opinion on the Chagos deal has shifted multiple times due to lobbying from the UK and US intelligence, right-wing UK politicians, and Congress members. This highlights the complex political influences shaping his stance, which is essential for the audience to understand the evolving nature of international negotiations.
After the US State Department officially endorsed the deal, Trump took to social media to express his views, stating, “this land should not be taken away from the UK,” and that giving it to Mauritius would be “a blight on our great ally.” The Times later reported that Trump’s opinion shifted once the UK expressed opposition to strikes on Iran.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “There is no pause. We have never set a deadline. That is the position.”
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