Donald Trump has launched a furious attack on the UK’s new 100-year lease deal for the Chagos Islands, slamming Prime Minister Keir Starmer for “losing control” and branding the deal a “big mistake.”
Trump Rages Against Starmer’s Chagos Agreement
On Truth Social, Trump ripped into the lease pact, dismissing the “entities claiming rights” over the Indian Ocean islands as “fictitious.” He accused Starmer of handing over control to mysterious parties “never known of before,” jeopardising the crucial military base on Diego Garcia.
“I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that Leases are no good when it comes to Countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease with whoever it is that is ‘claiming’ Right, Title, and interest to Diego Garcia.”
Heightened Security Fears Over Iran Threat
Trump’s warning added a sharp security edge to the row. He said if Iran refuses negotiations, the US might need Diego Garcia alongside RAF Fairford “to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime.” The threat, he stressed, puts the UK and allies in the firing line.
UK-US Rift Opens Over Chagos Deal
Trump’s outburst exposes a split between the US leader and his government. While Washington officially backed the Chagos lease and Downing Street hailed talks as “fruitful,” the former President’s angry tirade casts doubt on true US unity over the sensitive deal.
