UK Holds Off on Chagos Island Deal After US Pushback

The United Kingdom has paused its plan to hand over the Chagos Islands, a move that had sparked criticism from U. S. President Donald Trump. The islands host the strategic U. S. -British military base on Diego Garcia, and Britain had intended to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while keeping a 99‑year lease for the base. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s team said they would seek Washington’s formal approval before moving forward. The planned legislation to cede the islands will not appear on Parliament’s next agenda, indicating a temporary halt. Trump labelled the proposal a “big mistake” in February and has called the deal a misstep. He also suggested that Starmer’s leadership was not up to historic standards, which strained the close ties between London and Washington.Under the original agreement, Britain would retain control of the base’s operations through a long‑term lease. A government spokesperson emphasized that protecting the base’s security remains a top priority and that the UK will continue dialogue with both the U. S. and Mauritius. The pause follows recent tensions over Britain’s stance on the U. S. -Israeli conflict in Iran and its decision not to allow Trump‑directed attacks from British bases. While U. S. forces are now permitted to conduct defensive strikes, the partnership’s future is uncertain. The British government maintains that any final decision will depend on U. S. support, reflecting the delicate balance between national sovereignty and international alliance obligations.