US explores Chagos deal to secure full control of Diego Garcia

The United States is considering purchasing the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in a move that would give Washington full control over Diego Garcia, a strategically important island hosting a joint US-UK military base, The Telegraph reported.

According to the report, the Trump administration is exploring a direct agreement with Mauritius that would allow the United States to secure control over the Indian Ocean territory without going through London.

The publication highlighted the strategic significance of Diego Garcia, noting its central role in US military operations in the region. The base was recently used to carry out strikes on Iran involving B-2 Spirit bombers.

Officials in the Trump administration are reportedly concerned that transferring control over surrounding waters to Mauritius could expand opportunities for Chinese intelligence activity, given China’s close ties with the island nation.

“At this airbase, there are extremely secret and sensitive facilities that are of enormous importance to the United Kingdom’s capabilities in the world. Once you understand what this facility is, it becomes clear why the British state seeks to retain access to it at any cost,” said Ben Judah, a former adviser to the UK foreign secretary.

The potential cost of such a deal has not yet been discussed. Earlier plans by the United Kingdom envisaged transferring the archipelago to Mauritius and then leasing the base back for 99 years at a cost of about £35 billion.

The Telegraph added that Trump had initially supported the handover plan but later reversed his position after Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to allow the use of Diego Garcia for strikes on Iran during the early stages of the conflict.

By Tamilla Hasanova