US President Donald Trump issued strong warnings to Tehran, hinting at the possibility of using military force from long-range strategic bases. Trump affirmed that the United States might be forced to resort to the 'Diego Garcia' base in the Indian Ocean and 'Fairford' Air Base in Britain to carry out military operations aimed at deterring the Iranian regime.
Trump's statements came via his 'Truth Social' platform, where he linked potential military action to the failure of diplomatic efforts to conclude a new agreement with Iran. He described the regime in Tehran as 'extremely dangerous,' emphasizing that the mentioned military bases represent a fundamental pillar of American national defense and security strategy.
In a related context, Trump sharply criticized the British government led by Keir Starmer, warning it against proceeding with an agreement to transfer sovereignty over Diego Garcia island to the Republic of Mauritius. The US President considered the signing of a hundred-year lease agreement a 'fragile' measure that could lead to the loss of control over a vital location monitored by international powers such as China and Russia.
Diego Garcia base is one of the most important US military installations outside its borders, housing an advanced military airport capable of accommodating heavy strategic bombers. The base also provides naval facilities in a deep-water port that supports warships and nuclear submarines, making it an ideal launching point for operations in the Middle East and Asia.
The island's importance extends to intelligence and surveillance, as it contains advanced technical equipment for monitoring communications and military movements in the Indian Ocean region. The base plays a pivotal logistical role as a supply and support center for US forces deployed across three continents: Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Historically, Britain separated the island from the Chagos Archipelago in 1965 and granted it to the United States to establish this joint base, which later became a launching pad for major operations. That period witnessed the displacement of about two thousand indigenous inhabitants of the island, which sparked legal and international disputes that lasted for decades in the halls of the United Nations.
The UN General Assembly issued a resolution in 2019 demanding London end its administration of the islands and hand them over to Mauritius, which subsequently led to the signing of an agreement in May 2025. Despite the signing of the agreement, which grants Britain the right to use the base for a full century, Trump sees this step as 'unjustified weakness' from a strategic ally.
Trump noted in his post that abandoning this land represents a 'great folly' that harms Western national security interests in general. He linked this issue to his previous ambitions related to purchasing Greenland, considering that acquiring strategic locations is the only guarantee to confront increasing global threats.
Legally, the agreement between Britain and Mauritius is still awaiting final ratification by the parliaments of both countries to officially come into effect. US military circles fear that any changes in the political sovereignty of the island could lead to future restrictions on the freedom of movement of forces or the use of sensitive facilities.
International capitals are closely monitoring these statements, which redraw the features of US foreign policy in a new Trump era, especially concerning the Iranian file. The question remains about the extent of London's response to these American pressures, especially in light of its international commitments to Mauritius and UN resolutions.
Should Iran decide not to conclude an agreement, the United States may be forced to use the Diego Garcia base to repel a potential attack from a highly dangerous regime.
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Trump threatens to use 'Diego Garcia' base to strike Iran and warns London against abandoning it