Trump: US retains right to militarily secure air base in Chagos

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States retains the right to militarily secure the Diego Garcia air base if future arrangements threaten access. These remarks followed productive discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. Although Trump had previously criticized the 2025 agreement as an act of weakness, he now acknowledges it as the best possible deal Starmer could achieve. The current agreement transfers sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while keeping the base under British control through a 99-year lease. Trump warned that he reserves the right to reinforce the American military presence if the lease collapses or operations are endangered. A Downing Street spokesperson emphasized that both leaders agreed on the vital importance of the base for their shared security interests.