Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Britain's leasing of the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean a "big mistake," saying it could be critical if tensions with Iran escalate.
On May 22, 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement formally transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. Under the agreement, Mauritius will lease the Diego Garcia military base to the United Kingdom and the United States.
In 1965, the United Kingdom separated the archipelago from Mauritius (then a British colony) to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. In 1966, the United Kingdom leased Diego Garcia to the United States as a joint US-British military facility.
Noting that "the United States may need to use Diego Garcia" if nuclear talks with Iran fail, Trump claimed on the social media platform Truth Social that he had warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer against entering into a lease agreement.
"Prime Minister Starmer must not, for any reason, lose control of Diego Garcia by entering into a tenuous, at best, 100-year lease," Trump wrote, warning that losing control would be "a stain on the reputation of our great ally."
In response to Trump's criticism, the British Foreign Office stated that the Chagos agreement "is crucial for the security of the UK and our key allies, and for the safety of the British people."
“The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement. –0–
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