Trump says retains right to ‘militarily’ secure Chagos airbase

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he retained the right to “militarily secure” a joint US-UK airbase in the Chagos Archipelago following “productive” discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“I understand that the deal Prime Minister Starmer has made, according to many, the best he could make,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, referencing a 2025 deal Starmer made to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago which includes the island with the joint US-UK air base.