U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply changed his position regarding the British-Mauritian agreement on the Chagos Archipelago. The American leader warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer that handing over sovereignty of the islands is a "great mistake." The key reason for the U-turn is the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia military base amid rising tensions with Iran. London declares its intention to continue the process, despite pressure from Washington and issues with displaced islanders.

Donald Trump's U-turn

President Donald Trump described the agreement as a mistake and called on the United Kingdom to maintain full sovereignty over the archipelago.

Strategic military objectives

The U.S. fears access to Diego Garcia in the context of conflict with Iran, following London's refusal to allow the base to be used for attacks.

Judge's intervention from an airplane

Judge James Lewis blocked the deportation of Chagossians, issuing a ruling during a flight at an altitude of 25,000 feet.

Determination of the British government

Keir Starmer's cabinet plans to continue legislation, despite the risk of a diplomatic crisis in relations with Washington.

President Donald Trump has caused diplomatic turmoil by calling on the British Prime Minister to scrap the agreement with Mauritius. The May 2025 agreement envisaged transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago in exchange for a 99-year lease of the Diego Garcia base. Donald Trump, who initially accepted these terms, now claims that the United Kingdom is losing control over a strategic point to third parties. According to unofficial information, the White House fears that London will not allow the base to be used for potential preventive strikes against Iran. The situation is complicated by a sudden legal intervention. Judge James Lewis, issuing an unprecedented ruling from an airplane at an altitude of 25,000 feet, temporarily blocked the removal of a group of Chagossians who landed on one of the islands in protest. These activists are trying to regain the right to settle on their ancestral land, which governments in London and Washington see as a threat to the security of the military base. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his most serious test yet in relations with the new U.S. administration. The dispute over the islands has been ongoing since 1965, when the United Kingdom detached them from Mauritius before granting it independence. In 2019, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled British administration of the archipelago unlawful and ordered its return. The United Kingdom government officially maintains its will to finalize the agreement, recognizing it as the only way to secure the future of Diego Garcia. However, growing criticism from the Conservative Party and pressure from Donald Trump could lead to another political reversal by Keir Starmer. Experts point out that London's lack of consent to operations against Iran from British territory could become a flashpoint leading to a complete breakdown of negotiations and the maintenance of the status quo by force. „Prime Minister Starmer is making a great mistake by entering into this uncertain lease. Do not give up Diego Garcia!” — Donald Trump 99 years — is the planned lease period for the Diego Garcia baseSupport for the agreement among U.S. political elites: Trump (2025): 10, State Department (2026): 10, Trump (2026): 0, John Bolton: 0Chagos crisis timeline: May 2025 — Signing of the agreement; February 18, 2026 — U.S. reaction; February 19, 2026 — Court blockade; February 20, 2026 — Pressure on LondonEmphasizes the right of indigenous inhabitants to return and the necessity of decolonization in accordance with rulings of international tribunals. | Highlights the threat to global security and the strategic mistake of weakening the military alliance with the U.S. at the expense of Mauritius.

Mentioned People

  • Keir Starmer — Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, author of the controversial agreement with Mauritius.
  • James Lewis — British judge who blocked the deportation of the archipelago's inhabitants.
  • John R. Bolton — Former U.S. National Security Advisor, critic of handing over the islands.