Following his previous claims regarding Greenland, Donald Trump has now turned his attention to Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. President indicated that this location could play a crucial role should diplomatic relations with Iran deteriorate. Trump urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to 'lose control' of the island, highlighting its strategic importance due to the existing joint military base operated by the United States and Britain.

Trump's concerns stem from the possibility of Iran failing to reach an agreement, which he suggests could lead to the necessity of utilizing Diego Garcia and an airfield in Fairford to respond to threats posed by an 'unstable and dangerous regime.' His comments reflect ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and underscore the geopolitical dynamics in the region that influence U.S. foreign policy.

This isn't the first instance where Trump has explicitly requested that the UK retain Diego Garcia and the surrounding Chagos Archipelago instead of ceding it to Mauritius. In the past, he criticized London's agreement to transfer sovereignty over Chagos to Mauritius in exchange for a long-term lease of Diego Garcia, indicating a complex interplay of historical treaties and military strategy that are likely to shape future discussions between the U.S. and the UK regarding this vital military asset.