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Britain Refuses US Access to RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia Amid Iran Tensions

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  • US President Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to the Chagos deal
    US President Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to the Chagos deal
    Image: BBC
    US President Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to the Chagos deal (Reuters) Source Full size
  • The US had previously supported the UK's decision to proceed with the Chagos deal
    The US had previously supported the UK's decision to proceed with the Chagos deal
    Image: BBC
    The US had previously supported the UK's decision to proceed with the Chagos deal (Getty) Source Full size
  • The US had previously supported the UK's decision to proceed with the Chagos deal
    The US had previously supported the UK's decision to proceed with the Chagos deal
    Image: BBC
    The US had previously supported the UK's decision to proceed with the Chagos deal (Getty) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: BBC
    Source Full size

Starmer Rejects US Request for Base Access On 20 February 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer told officials that allowing U.S. forces to operate from RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia would breach international law, which holds supporting states liable if they have “knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act” [1]. The British government reiterated that it has not granted any new permission for a U.S. strike on Iran, echoing a statement made on 19 February 2026 that the UK “has not authorised” such use [2]. Analysts note the bases have historically hosted U.S. bomber staging but were bypassed during the June 2025 B‑2 raid on Iranian nuclear sites [1].

Trump Reacts Publicly, Calls Lease Deal a Mistake President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social after the phone call with Starmer, labeling the 99‑year Chagos lease “a big mistake” and warning that the U.S. may need Diego Garcia and Fairford to “eradicate a potential attack” [1]. He also warned the world would learn within “probably, 10 days” whether the U.S. proceeds with military action against Iran [2]. The post was framed as reflecting official policy, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt [1].

US Government Backs UK‑Mauritius Lease While Maintaining Policy Stance The State Department issued a statement supporting the UK‑Mauritius agreement that transfers sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory while leasing Diego Garcia back to the UK for 99 years [1]. This backing aligns with a separate U.S. announcement on 18 February 2026 that Washington “supports” the handover, describing it as crucial for allied security [3]. The White House affirmed that Trump’s social‑media remarks should be read as the administration’s position [1].

Analysts Emphasize Strategic Need for Forward Bases Defense analysts argue that a prolonged campaign against Iran would require forward bases like Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford to shorten bomber turnaround times and keep aircraft out of range of Iranian missiles [1]. Although the bases have long served as staging posts, they were not used in the 2025 B‑2 strike, highlighting the logistical challenges of future operations [1]. The 99‑year lease‑back arrangement is intended to preserve the strategic utility of Diego Garcia for the U.S. and its allies [3].

Domestic Political Pushback Highlights Tensions Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Trump of “bullying” the UK into allowing base use and urged Prime Minister Starmer to seek a parliamentary vote on any deployment [2]. Opposition figures such as Dame Priti Patel and Nigel Farage publicly criticized both the Chagos handover and Trump’s stance, while four Chagossians staged a protest on the atoll against the lease [3]. These domestic reactions underscore the political sensitivity surrounding the base agreement and potential Iran strike plans [2][3].

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Timeline

1965 – Britain separates the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and evicts up to 2,000 residents to build the Diego Garcia military base, establishing the strategic foothold that later underpins US‑UK cooperation. [8]

2019 – The International Court of Justice orders the United Kingdom to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, creating a legal foundation for decolonisation and future sovereignty talks. [8]

May 2025 – The United Kingdom and Mauritius sign a treaty transferring Chagos sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia back to the UK/US for 99 years, with an annual payment of roughly £101‑£120 million, securing the joint base’s long‑term operation. [7][13][12]

June 2025 – US B‑2 Spirit bombers launch a 37‑hour round‑trip strike on Iranian nuclear sites from Missouri, deliberately avoiding RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, demonstrating the bases’ potential but not yet required role. [5]

2025 (later) – The US State Department publicly backs the UK‑Mauritius agreement; Secretary of State Marco Rubio notes that President Trump expressed support for the deal during a meeting with Prime Minister Starmer. [11][10]

Jan 20 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social that the Chagos handover is “great stupidity” and a “big mistake,” warning it signals weakness to China and Russia and threatens US security. [11][12][13][4][7]

Jan 20 2026 – Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government pushes a parliamentary bill to implement the UK‑Mauritius agreement, asserting the deal “secures the base for generations” and protects allied interests. [4][12]

Jan 20 2026 – Trump ties his criticism of the Chagos lease to his broader push to acquire Greenland, calling the lease “stupidity” and framing it as a security flaw. [6][10]

Jan 21 2026 – Starmer tells the House of Commons that Trump’s “great stupidity” remarks represent a shift in US stance aimed at pressuring Britain over Greenland, and he vows not to yield on the Greenland issue. [10]

Jan 26 2026 – Minister Stephen Doughty accuses Conservative peers of sabotaging the Chagos legislation with a “wrecking amendment,” while the House of Lords postpones debate, citing “changing geopolitical circumstances.” [3]

Feb 1 2026 – Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu announces a proposal for the Maldives to assume Chagos sovereignty while preserving the US base, seeking parliamentary approval to keep Diego Garcia operating under the status quo. [9]

Feb 5 2026 – Trump warns that the United States will “militarily secure” Diego Garcia if the lease is ever threatened, citing “very productive discussions” with Starmer and asserting the right to reinforce the base. [8]

Feb 18 2026 – Trump publicly urges “Do not give away Diego Garcia,” labeling any transfer a “blight on our Great Ally” and reaffirming support for a 99‑year lease back to the UK. [2]

Feb 19 2026 – Trump declares on Truth Social that “over the next, probably, 10 days” the world will know whether the US reaches a nuclear deal with Iran or proceeds with military action. [1]

Feb 19 2026 – Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accuses Trump of “bullying” over base use and urges Prime Minister Starmer to seek a parliamentary vote before any US deployment to RAF Fairford or Diego Garcia. [1]

Feb 20 2026 – Starmer denies a US request to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for a potential Iran strike, stating such use “would be a breach of international law” and emphasizing the UK’s diplomatic process with Iran. [5]

Feb 20 2026 – Analysts warn that a prolonged Iran campaign would require forward bases like Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford to shorten bomber turnaround and avoid Iranian missile threats, highlighting the strategic necessity of the bases. [5]

Feb 19‑Feb 28 2026 (expected) – The United States is expected to announce within ten days whether it pursues a nuclear deal with Iran or initiates military action, a decision that could reshape US‑UK base cooperation. [1]

Spring 2026 (expected) – The UK Parliament is slated to vote on authorising US use of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for any Iran‑related operation, a vote that will test the “breach of international law” claim. [1][5]

2026 (future) – The Maldives parliament is set to consider President Muizzu’s sovereignty proposal, which would keep the US base operational while shifting formal control to the Maldives. [9]

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