Trump affirms US commitment to Diego Garcia military base amid lease concerns

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had "very productive" discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the Island of Diego Garcia.

"It is the site of a major U.S. Military Base, strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and, therefore, of great importance to the National Security of the United States," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump acknowledged the lease agreement negotiated by Starmer, calling it “the best he could make,” but stressed the US reserves the right to act if the lease were ever compromised or if US operations were threatened.

“I retain the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia,” he said.