A recent report from The Times highlights that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not authorize US President Donald Trump to utilize the Diego Garcia military base as part of a proposed offensive against Iran. Sources within the British government informed The Guardian that this alleged refusal by Starmer has led Trump to withdraw his support for an agreement made last year regarding the Chagos Archipelago islands, which includes Diego Garcia. The agreement would allow the UK to transfer control of these islands to Mauritius while continuing to lease the base to the US.

Last month, Trump described the agreement concerning the Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, as the 'best deal' the British Prime Minister could achieve under the current circumstances. However, following Starmer's restriction on the use of Diego Garcia, Trump linked this agreement to potential military action against Iran. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that if Iran chooses not to reach an agreement with the United States, it would be essential for the US to utilize Diego Garcia and the Fairford Air Force Base in Gloucestershire to mitigate any potential threat from the Iranian regime.

The situation reflects rising tensions between the US and Iran, and Starmer's stance indicates a significant shift in British foreign policy under his leadership. The UK government has historically been a key ally of the US, especially regarding military operations, making Starmer's decision noteworthy. This development could have implications for international relations, particularly regarding defense agreements and collaborative military strategies between the UK and the US moving forward.