Trump changed mind on Chagos deal ‘after UK blocked use of Diego Garcia for Iran strikes’
The Guardian World
by Peter Walker and Dan SabbaghFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed his stance on supporting the Chagos Islands deal after learning that the UK would not allow its airbases there to be used for potential U.S. military strikes against Iran. The Guardian reported that Trump’s change in opinion was linked to his administration’s desire to preemptively strike Iran over its nuclear ambitions. In a social media post, Trump criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what he called a “big mistake” in transferring sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while maintaining UK and U.S. access to Diego Garcia airbase. This move has raised questions about the strategic implications of the deal and the ongoing relationship between the U.S., UK, and Mauritius.
The Chagos Islands, a British Overseas Territory, have long been a flashpoint in international relations due to their strategic importance as a military base. Specifically, Diego Garcia, one of the islands,
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/19/2026