British-American relations have plunged into deep crisis following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's refusal regarding the use of air bases for a potential attack on Iran. In retaliation, President Donald Trump withdrew support for the agreement to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, calling the deal "a huge mistake." The situation is complicated by a court order blocking the deportation of displaced people who illegally landed on the disputed islands, seeking to resettle them.

Blockade of Air Bases

The United Kingdom refused the United States permission to use Diego Garcia and Fairford bases for potential retaliatory strikes on targets in Iran.

Donald Trump Changes His Mind

The US President withdrew support for the agreement transferring Chagos to Mauritius, arguing that it is dangerous in the face of the Middle Eastern crisis.

Court Ban on Deportation

Judge James Lewis halted the forced removal of Chagossians from the archipelago, paralyzing the government's plan to control the situation in the disputed territories.

A diplomatic dispute between the United Kingdom and the United States has intensified after Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to authorize strikes against Iran from British military bases. This primarily concerns the strategic atoll Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago and Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire. President Donald Trump, who seeks to exert maximum nuclear pressure on Tehran, reacted sharply by withdrawing his previous support for the British-Mauritian agreement. This document provides for the transfer of sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius, while maintaining control of the military base by London and Washington for a period of 99 years. However, the US administration fears that a change in the islands' political status will threaten the operational security of the facility, which Trump considers crucial for the stability of the Middle East and South Asia. The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, just before the country gained independence, leading to the forced displacement of about two thousand residents to build the Diego Garcia military base. Simultaneously, the British government faces internal and legal problems concerning the same territory. Judge James Lewis issued a landmark order halting the deportation of four representatives of the Chagossian people who sailed to the archipelago from Sri Lanka, attempting to establish a permanent settlement on their ancestral land. This decision, announced under unusual circumstances during the judge's flight to Africa, further undermines the legitimacy of the Starmer government's actions. Critics accuse the Prime Minister of lacking strategic planning and succumbing to international pressure at the expense of security interests. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, via the Truth Social platform, warned that the transfer of the islands is a "disaster," suggesting that the US might be forced to secure its interests in the region by force if Iran does not enter new nuclear negotiations within the coming days. Donald Trump (2025): Support, State Department (2026-02-18): Support, Donald Trump (2026-02-19): Opposition Military experts, including Professor Piotr Mickiewicz, emphasize that Diego Garcia is a unique point on the world map, allowing B-52 and B-2 Spirit bombers to operate within the range of the entire Indian Ocean. Without London's consent for launches from this location, Washington's offensive plans face a huge logistical challenge. The London government officially declines to comment on operational matters, but Justice Secretary Alex Davies-Jones confirmed that legislative work on transferring the islands will continue, despite growing White House irritation. This situation calls into question the future of the so-called special relationship in an era of escalating global conflict. 99 years — is the duration of the Diego Garcia base lease according to the original agreement „Keir Starmer is making a gigantic mistake by handing over bases that may be essential to deterring a dangerous regime in Iran.” — Donald Trump

Mentioned People

  • Keir Starmer — Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, criticized for the agreement on the Chagos Archipelago and refusal to support the US in an attack on Iran.
  • Donald Trump — President of the United States, who withdrew support for British territorial plans due to lack of access to military bases.
  • James Lewis — Judge who blocked the deportation of displaced inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago.