'Big mistake': Trump demands US ally keep Indian Ocean island as possible war looms
President Donald Trump demanded the United Kingdom hold onto an Indian Ocean island that's home to a joint airbase because it might be needed for a possible war against Iran.
The administration has backed Britain’s plan to turn over sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius while leasing back the joint UK-U.S. airbase Diego Garcia, but the 79-year-old president issued a social media demand Wednesday afternoon as American forces mass in the Middle East.
"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, strategically located in the Indian Ocean," Trump posted on Truth Social.
"Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years, but Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before," he added. "In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature."
Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Tuesday with Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva, but U.S. officials don't seem optimistic that a nuclear deal can be reached.
"Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime — An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries," Trump warned. "Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease. This land should not be taken away from the U.K. and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally."
"We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them," he added. "DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!"
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