U.S. President Donald Trump said the country does not intend to withdraw from the air base strategically located on the island of Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean. The statement was published by the president himself on the social network Truth Social.
According to Trump, the facility is vital to U.S. strategic aviation operations, with a direct impact on missions in the Middle East and other sensitive regions.
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He also stressed that he remains in dialogue with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding control of the base, following the recent agreement involving the archipelago where the island is located.
The U.S. president said he understands that the lease agreement signed by the United Kingdom with Mauritius is viewed by many as “the best possible,” but issued a direct warning:
I understand that the agreement signed by Prime Minister Starmer is, according to many, the best that could be achieved. However, if the lease agreement were to collapse at any point in the future, or if anyone were to threaten or put at risk U.S. operations and forces at our base, I reserve the right to ensure security militarily and to reinforce the American presence at Diego Garcia.
Trump also criticized what he called “false statements or environmental nonsense,” saying he will not allow the U.S. presence at such an important base to be undermined or compromised. In his view, Diego Garcia is essential to U.S. national security.
Context of the agreement
The island of the Diego Garcia Atoll is part of the Chagos Archipelago, which historically belonged to the British Indian Ocean Territory. In May 2025, the United Kingdom signed an agreement to transfer control of the archipelago to Mauritius.
Under the terms of the agreement, however, London will retain the lease of the military base for 99 years, ensuring that the United States continues to operate its air base at the site.
From Diego Garcia, U.S. bombers have already carried out combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, consolidating the island’s role as one of the main platforms for U.S. power projection outside the continental United States.
Previous criticism
In January, Trump had already publicly criticized the British decision to transfer the islands to Mauritius. At the time, he said China and Russia would have interpreted the move as “an act of complete weakness,” reinforcing his view that the U.S. presence at Diego Garcia should be preserved and, if necessary, expanded.
Source and images: af.mil | Truth Social. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
