Chagos Deal Under Strain as Trump Revives Criticism; UK–US Diplomacy Intensifies Over Diego Garcia and Iran
Tensions over the future of the Chagos Islands have resurfaced just as senior British and American officials prepare for high-level talks in Washington.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amid renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump of London’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.
The diplomatic engagement comes at a delicate moment. Trump has sharpened his rhetoric not only on the Chagos agreement but also on Iran, linking the future of the strategically critical Diego Garcia base to potential US military operations in the Middle East.
The Chagos Agreement: Strategic Compromise or Political Risk?
Under an agreement reached last year by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Britain would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years to safeguard ongoing joint UK-US military operations.
Washington initially supported the deal, seeing it as a pragmatic solution that preserved operational continuity at one of its most significant overseas bases.
However, Trump’s position has fluctuated. In January, he labeled the agreement an act of “great stupidity.”
Earlier this month, he indicated it may have been the best deal available to Starmer. This week, though, he again publicly opposed the plan, posting on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!” He argued that the base could be critical in countering a potential Iranian threat.
Iran Factor Alters the Equation
According to reporting by The Guardian, Trump’s renewed opposition may stem from the UK’s unwillingness to allow its bases to be used for a pre-emptive strike against Iran.
Under longstanding arrangements, any military operation launched from Diego Garcia—or from UK-based facilities such as RAF Fairford—requires prior approval from the British government and must comply with the UK’s interpretation of international law.
Trump directly connected the Chagos deal to possible action against Tehran, suggesting Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford could be necessary to “eradicate a potential attack” should Iran refuse a diplomatic settlement.
For London, this presents a legal and political dilemma. A pre-emptive strike may not align with Britain’s reading of international law, and UK officials have so far refrained from publicly endorsing such a course.
The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment on operational matters, reiterating that discussions between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing and that the UK supports diplomatic efforts to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.
Strategic Value of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia remains one of the most strategically important US military installations outside American territory.
The joint base has recently supported operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels and facilitated humanitarian missions to Gaza. Its geographic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a critical logistics and power-projection hub.
The broader historical context also complicates matters. The Chagos Islands became British territory in 1814 and were separated from Mauritius in 1965, before Mauritian independence in 1968. Mauritius has long maintained that the detachment was unlawful.
The new agreement attempts to reconcile that historical dispute while preserving Western military access.
Political Headwinds in Westminster
Domestically, the legislation required to implement the Chagos agreement faces an uncertain path.
The bill is expected to return to the House of Lords soon, but delays have cast doubt on whether it can pass before the parliamentary session concludes in May.
Failure to do so would necessitate reintroduction in a new session, further prolonging uncertainty.
Former government adviser Ben Judah has suggested that securing parliamentary approval may prove challenging in the coming months.
Meanwhile, opposition voices have intensified their scrutiny. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel argued that the agreement cannot proceed without strong US backing and warned that time may be running out for the government to finalize the deal.
Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones emphasized that national security remains paramount, noting that Britain will continue coordinating closely with allies, including the United States.
A Test of Alliance Management
At its core, the unfolding debate reflects a broader tension between legal principles, alliance politics, and geopolitical strategy.
For London, the agreement represents a carefully balanced attempt to resolve a long-standing sovereignty dispute while preserving a critical defense partnership.
For Washington—particularly under Trump’s evolving stance—the calculus appears increasingly shaped by the Iran file.
As Cooper meets Rubio in Washington, the challenge will be to reaffirm transatlantic strategic alignment while navigating diverging political pressures at home and abroad.
The outcome will not only determine the fate of the Chagos agreement but may also signal how resilient the UK-US security partnership remains in an era of shifting global fault lines.
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