The Diego Garcia dispute has escalated after fresh criticism from US President Donald Trump. He said he felt “very disappointed” with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over access to the military base.
In an interview, Trump said Starmer initially blocked US forces from using Diego Garcia for strikes on Iran. He described the refusal as unprecedented in modern UK-US relations. Moreover, he suggested the prime minister worried too much about legal concerns.
Britain had refused access to bases including Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, citing international law. However, Starmer later approved limited access for what he called specific defensive purposes. Even so, Trump said the decision came too slowly.
“That probably has never happened between our countries,” Trump said. He added that the delay caused frustration within Washington. As a result, tensions increased between the long-standing allies.
The Diego Garcia dispute also affected negotiations over the Chagos Islands. Britain has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while leasing back the base. Under the arrangement, the UK would retain control of the base for 99 years.
Initially, Trump supported the agreement. However, he later criticized the deal publicly, calling it a mistake. He argued Britain should have defended its ownership more strongly.
Meanwhile, events in the region intensified security concerns. Shortly after Starmer authorized limited US access, a drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Military officials reported no casualties, although authorities evacuated service families as a precaution. Furthermore, security alerts instructed personnel to take cover during the incident.
Despite permitting US use of Diego Garcia, Starmer did not authorize British troop participation in American-Israeli strikes. Instead, he emphasized that the UK would maintain a defensive posture. He said the focus remains on protecting British citizens and regional stability.
Diego Garcia holds major strategic importance. The base sits about 2,400 miles from Iran’s southern coast, placing it beyond Iranian ballistic missile range. At the same time, its location allows US B-2 bombers to operate effectively in the region.
On Saturday, the Pentagon formally requested use of British facilities to target Iranian missile capabilities. That request came as Iran launched strikes across parts of the Middle East. Consequently, British officials argued the move aligned with international law and collective self-defence.
Allied reactions have varied. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized some allies for hesitating over military action. Nevertheless, Britain has maintained that its actions remain measured and legally justified.
As tensions continue, the Diego Garcia dispute highlights strain within the transatlantic partnership. Although cooperation continues, differences over timing and diplomacy have exposed political friction at a critical moment.
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