‘Don’t give away Diego Garcia’: Trump warns UK amid US-Iran tensions

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday mentioned the UK mustn’t “give away” the strategically important Diego Garcia base within the Indian Ocean, a joint US-UK facility, arguing it may very well be “essential” if the USA launches army motion towards Iran. His remarks got here as he reportedly weighs potential strikes on Iran’s clerical management.The warning adopted renewed backing from the US State Division for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s settlement to switch sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Below the proposed association, Britain would lease the bottom, which shares its identify with the Diego Garcia island, the biggest within the archipelago, for 100 years.Posting on his Reality Social, Trump urged Starmer to not proceed with what the Republican described as a “tenuous” century-long lease, insisting the territory ought to stay underneath British management. He argued that relinquishing it will “harm” Britain, a key US ally, and careworn that it should “keep robust” within the face of “inside and exterior pressures.”Trump’s submit got here as his envoys held contemporary negotiations with Iran, urgent Tehran to make important concessions, significantly concerning its nuclear program. He advised that if talks fail, Washington would possibly want entry to each Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford — a US air base in England — to counter what he known as potential threats from the Islamic Republic. He additionally voiced concern about doable assaults concentrating on the UK and different allied nations.Britain retained management of the Chagos Islands after Mauritius gained independence within the Sixties, forcibly eradicating hundreds of residents who’ve since pursued compensation by authorized challenges. Trump dismissed these claims as unfounded.On Tuesday, the State Division introduced upcoming talks with Mauritius targeted on sustaining the army base and reiterated America’s assist for Britain’s choice to proceed with the settlement.When requested in regards to the obvious contradiction between Trump’s submit and official US coverage, White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned Trump’s assertion needs to be thought to be the administration’s place.The episode displays one other shift in Trump’s stance. After the deal was first reached by Starmer’s Labour authorities, secretary of state Marco Rubio known as it “historic.” Trump later criticised it as an “act of GREAT STUPIDITY,” linking it to his argument that the USA ought to take management of Greenland from Denmark. He subsequently mentioned he accepted the settlement following discussions with Starmer, a place he now seems to have reversed.