Donald Trump is refusing to back Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal again unless the Prime Minister allows the US to use the islands to strike Iran.
The US president is understood to have asked to use Diego Garcia, the joint US-UK base on the islands, in the event that America decides to launch strikes on Iran.
He has repeatedly threatened to take military action unless the country’s leaders sign a deal with the US to curb its nuclear programme.
However, Downing Street is concerned that supporting any such strikes by Mr Trump would breach international law.
Whitehall sources told The Telegraph that the White House was refusing to change its stance on the Chagos deal, which will see the UK give the islands away to Mauritius, until Britain allows the US to use the base.
Last week, Mr Trump said Sir Keir should not “give away Diego Garcia”, in a rapid about-turn from his previous support for the deal.
On Wednesday, a minister admitted that the deal had been “paused” while Britain continued discussions with the US, because it could not go ahead without American consent.
It was previously reported that although the US requires permission to use British military bases in the UK, the Pentagon has free rein on Diego Garcia because it is a joint facility governed by a 1966 exchange of diplomatic notes between London and Washington.
However, The Telegraph understands that the Foreign Office has a veto on American use of the base if the US military strays from “normal” operations.
Government lawyers believe that using the base to strike Iran would be covered by a separate clause on “other circumstances”, which says that both the US and UK must agree on an operation before it takes place.
Mr Trump’s previous strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025 did not use Diego Garcia. Instead, US air force bombers were flown to the Middle East from Utah.
But it is understood that US plans for a second set of strikes include a more sustained bombing campaign using aircraft with a shorter range, which would require a base closer to the targets.
A third of the US navy has travelled to waters near Iran, which is refusing to scale back its nuclear programme despite threats from the president.
On Tuesday, during his State of the Union address, Mr Trump appeared to lay out his legal and political case for action.
In the speech, the president accused Iran of building missiles that could reach the US, threatening its national security.
“We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’,” he said.
Flat_Development6659 on
It’s probably my lack of knowledge but why exactly do we want this deal to go ahead? Isn’t it us giving them an island and paying them to take it?
Nukes-For-Nimbys on
Stay out of their latest war AND have Trump be responsible for sinking the chagos surrender deal.
I think we can live with this one.
Ajax_Trees_Again on
Just to check – we want to pay billions to give away our own territory so that the Americans can have a base. But we aren’t letting the Americans use the base so the Americans aren’t supporting the deal that will give the Americans the base. The only way to spend billions to give the Americans the base is to let the Americans use the base so the Americans will let us give the base to the Americans?
Have I got that right?
KitchenIcy2450 on
And Mr piggy trump says he deserves a peace prize stop making threats Mr piggy trump
Good-Coyote-9700 on
This “special relationship” belongs in the history books of the 20th century. China would make a way better ally and partner moving forward than Trump or the US.
Romado on
I know Trump was stupid but holy crap, that might be one of the most insane things he tried. It’s good that we’ve removed ourselves entirely from the strikes on Iran (which will probably happen in the next 12 hours looking at recent news)
stopdontpanick on
The last thing Starmer and his hopeful pragmatism needs is to literally become Tony Blair *without* any of the popularity.
Jensen1994 on
Amazing how all of a sudden, the US needs one of its allies.
ACompletelyLostCause on
This is a no win situation with Trump. Does the UK really need this base? Not just want it because it’s useful, but really need it for national security reasons.
If not, don’t give it to Mauritius – which has a poor claim anyway, give it to the Chagos islander decendents directly. Invite them on to the island, so it has native inhabitants, then just leave. Let the US negotiate directly with the Chagos islanders.
Correct-Junket-1346 on
Sink the deal, then we eject the US base on our islands, sounds fair right?
sukablaat69 on
Seems like we a going to focus on the European theatre while the US focus on the Middle East/china… although taking out Iran (if possible) will weaken Russia in some ways! But if oil prices skyrocketed it would work in their favour short-term…
I hope everyone’s doing what they can do get ready because the next 1/2 years are going to be insane.
urbanspaceman85 on
Your country wanted the fucking deal in the first place Donald.
dapperdanmen on
Could see us saying yes to this. That’s how spineless we are at the moment
Cute_Ad_9730 on
USA realizing they are not the world police and without international co-operation they are much less effective than they presume they are. About time.
TheRealGouki on
Has trump look at a map? it’s about 3000 miles away. Not the best place to attack from.
KoontFace on
Fuck Trump. If Starmer has any balls at all, he’ll tell him to kiss our collective arses.
We should be closing their embassies and expelling their military and diplomats at this point.
We’ve been the USA whipping boy for too long. Fuck the USA
MapDiscombobulated1 on
Tell him you’ll agree IF he can find then Chagos on a map.
Then wait for the aneurysm.
Cynical_Classicist on
I recall the UK establishment grinning over how great Trump returning was and what a great friend to Britain he is.
MilosEggs on
What deal?!!!
Trumps deals are worthless. His word means nothing, his contracts mean nothing.
And he rapes children.
Double_Key7579 on
time for Starmer to do the last-useful thing in he’s premiership…
…ignore
RockasaurusFlex on
Ahhhh _THIS_ is why he was waffling about it being a “mistake”…. sigh af.
FreshPrinceOfH on
Hilarious. It’s the USAs deal. They are going to kill their own deal?
xxDeadEyeDukxx on
Nothing like being blackmailed by a convicted felon to get what he wants.
BednaR1 on
Israel (getting everyone to fight their wars in the middle east for last 2 decades): ” Iran will have a nuke in few weeks! ” 🙄
Fuzzy_Imagination705 on
Trump in full destruction mode, must break everything, must build nothing.
aaarry on
Utter yank nonsense.
Good on Starmer for standing his ground.
sim2500 on
Charges is no where near Iran?
Why don’t they just use the Syrian or Kuwait bases?
rictay44 on
I’m still betting that Trump will annex the Chagos islands.
Due_Sail_3315 on
Who on earth does Trump think he is??? His behaviour is nothing short of the playground bully. Additionally if America is the super power that Trump claims it is, why does he need any other country’s assistance?? Further to that, has he not realised his behaviour has not endeared him to the rest of the globe and he has successfully got himself shut out now…
Intruder313 on
Though we did allow the USA to use us as a giant aircraft carrier for those F-22s already so not too far removed from his latest flailing
Norn-Iron on
Great, let Trump sink the deal and shut the base down.
Worried_Jeweler_1141 on
How does this info get out? Are they discussing all this planning in McDonald’s?
kailyuu on
Just don’t let US to strike from Chagos and forget about the deal. Looks like UK has nothing to lose after all?
Objective_Ticket on
Perfect, we get to not pick sides in Trumps latest ‘ignore the Epstein files’ wheeze, keep the islands, the cash that was due to go and get to blame Trump for it. 👌
35 Comments
(Article)
—-
Donald Trump is refusing to back Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal again unless the Prime Minister allows the US to use the islands to strike Iran.
The US president is understood to have asked to use Diego Garcia, the joint US-UK base on the islands, in the event that America decides to launch strikes on Iran.
He has repeatedly threatened to take military action unless the country’s leaders sign a deal with the US to curb its nuclear programme.
However, Downing Street is concerned that supporting any such strikes by Mr Trump would breach international law.
Whitehall sources told The Telegraph that the White House was refusing to change its stance on the Chagos deal, which will see the UK give the islands away to Mauritius, until Britain allows the US to use the base.
Last week, Mr Trump said Sir Keir should not “give away Diego Garcia”, in a rapid about-turn from his previous support for the deal.
On Wednesday, a minister admitted that the deal had been “paused” while Britain continued discussions with the US, because it could not go ahead without American consent.
It was previously reported that although the US requires permission to use British military bases in the UK, the Pentagon has free rein on Diego Garcia because it is a joint facility governed by a 1966 exchange of diplomatic notes between London and Washington.
However, The Telegraph understands that the Foreign Office has a veto on American use of the base if the US military strays from “normal” operations.
Government lawyers believe that using the base to strike Iran would be covered by a separate clause on “other circumstances”, which says that both the US and UK must agree on an operation before it takes place.
Mr Trump’s previous strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025 did not use Diego Garcia. Instead, US air force bombers were flown to the Middle East from Utah.
But it is understood that US plans for a second set of strikes include a more sustained bombing campaign using aircraft with a shorter range, which would require a base closer to the targets.
A third of the US navy has travelled to waters near Iran, which is refusing to scale back its nuclear programme despite threats from the president.
On Tuesday, during his State of the Union address, Mr Trump appeared to lay out his legal and political case for action.
In the speech, the president accused Iran of building missiles that could reach the US, threatening its national security.
“We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’,” he said.
It’s probably my lack of knowledge but why exactly do we want this deal to go ahead? Isn’t it us giving them an island and paying them to take it?
Stay out of their latest war AND have Trump be responsible for sinking the chagos surrender deal.
I think we can live with this one.
Just to check – we want to pay billions to give away our own territory so that the Americans can have a base. But we aren’t letting the Americans use the base so the Americans aren’t supporting the deal that will give the Americans the base. The only way to spend billions to give the Americans the base is to let the Americans use the base so the Americans will let us give the base to the Americans?
Have I got that right?
And Mr piggy trump says he deserves a peace prize stop making threats Mr piggy trump
This “special relationship” belongs in the history books of the 20th century. China would make a way better ally and partner moving forward than Trump or the US.
I know Trump was stupid but holy crap, that might be one of the most insane things he tried. It’s good that we’ve removed ourselves entirely from the strikes on Iran (which will probably happen in the next 12 hours looking at recent news)
The last thing Starmer and his hopeful pragmatism needs is to literally become Tony Blair *without* any of the popularity.
Amazing how all of a sudden, the US needs one of its allies.
This is a no win situation with Trump. Does the UK really need this base? Not just want it because it’s useful, but really need it for national security reasons.
If not, don’t give it to Mauritius – which has a poor claim anyway, give it to the Chagos islander decendents directly. Invite them on to the island, so it has native inhabitants, then just leave. Let the US negotiate directly with the Chagos islanders.
Sink the deal, then we eject the US base on our islands, sounds fair right?
Seems like we a going to focus on the European theatre while the US focus on the Middle East/china… although taking out Iran (if possible) will weaken Russia in some ways! But if oil prices skyrocketed it would work in their favour short-term…
I hope everyone’s doing what they can do get ready because the next 1/2 years are going to be insane.
Your country wanted the fucking deal in the first place Donald.
Could see us saying yes to this. That’s how spineless we are at the moment
USA realizing they are not the world police and without international co-operation they are much less effective than they presume they are. About time.
Has trump look at a map? it’s about 3000 miles away. Not the best place to attack from.
Fuck Trump. If Starmer has any balls at all, he’ll tell him to kiss our collective arses.
We should be closing their embassies and expelling their military and diplomats at this point.
We’ve been the USA whipping boy for too long. Fuck the USA
Tell him you’ll agree IF he can find then Chagos on a map.
Then wait for the aneurysm.
I recall the UK establishment grinning over how great Trump returning was and what a great friend to Britain he is.
What deal?!!!
Trumps deals are worthless. His word means nothing, his contracts mean nothing.
And he rapes children.
time for Starmer to do the last-useful thing in he’s premiership…
…ignore
Ahhhh _THIS_ is why he was waffling about it being a “mistake”…. sigh af.
Hilarious. It’s the USAs deal. They are going to kill their own deal?
Nothing like being blackmailed by a convicted felon to get what he wants.
Israel (getting everyone to fight their wars in the middle east for last 2 decades): ” Iran will have a nuke in few weeks! ” 🙄
Trump in full destruction mode, must break everything, must build nothing.
Utter yank nonsense.
Good on Starmer for standing his ground.
Charges is no where near Iran?
Why don’t they just use the Syrian or Kuwait bases?
I’m still betting that Trump will annex the Chagos islands.
Who on earth does Trump think he is??? His behaviour is nothing short of the playground bully. Additionally if America is the super power that Trump claims it is, why does he need any other country’s assistance?? Further to that, has he not realised his behaviour has not endeared him to the rest of the globe and he has successfully got himself shut out now…
Though we did allow the USA to use us as a giant aircraft carrier for those F-22s already so not too far removed from his latest flailing
Great, let Trump sink the deal and shut the base down.
How does this info get out? Are they discussing all this planning in McDonald’s?
Just don’t let US to strike from Chagos and forget about the deal. Looks like UK has nothing to lose after all?
Perfect, we get to not pick sides in Trumps latest ‘ignore the Epstein files’ wheeze, keep the islands, the cash that was due to go and get to blame Trump for it. 👌