Trump Urges UK Not to Hand Over Key Military Base to Mauritius

US President criticizes UK's plan to transfer Chagos Islands sovereignty while retaining 99-year lease for Diego Garcia base.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the UK's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands, including the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius. Trump warned that the base could be crucial in responding to potential threats from Iran, despite the US State Department's previous support for the deal.

Why it matters

The Diego Garcia base is a vital military asset for the US and UK, located in a strategic position in the Indian Ocean. Trump's opposition to the UK's plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius, while retaining a long-term lease, raises concerns about the future security of the base and its role in potential military operations against Iran.

The details

Trump's latest comments represent a shift from his previous support for the agreement. He now argues that leases are inadequate when dealing with countries and claims Mauritius's claims to the islands are 'fictitious'. The UK agreed to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius last May, but will retain access to the Diego Garcia base through a 99-year lease. However, the deal still requires ratification by the British Parliament, facing opposition from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

  • In May 2025, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
  • In early February 2026, Trump suggested the UK-Mauritius deal was the best course of action.
  • On February 19, 2026, Trump publicly criticized the UK's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has publicly criticized the UK's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Keir Starmer

The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who visited the US last spring and discussed the Chagos Islands deal with Trump.

Mauritius

The country that has long argued the separation and displacement of the Chagos Islands' original inhabitants by the UK were illegal acts of colonial occupation.

UK Foreign Office

The government department that maintains the deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is 'crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies' and guarantees the Diego Garcia base's long-term future.

US State Department

The US government department that recently voiced its support for the UK-Mauritius deal over the Chagos Islands, a position that has now shifted with Trump's criticism.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Talks between the US and Mauritius are scheduled for next week to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands and the Diego Garcia military base.

The takeaway

Trump's intervention adds another layer of complexity to the issue of the Chagos Islands' future, as the UK government faces criticism from both sides of the political spectrum over its deal with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty while retaining a long-term lease for the strategically important Diego Garcia base.