Trump Reportedly Considered Buying Chagos Archipelago to Secure Diego Garcia Base

Reports indicate that former U.S. President Donald Trump explored a plan to bypass British authorities and directly purchase the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius. The archipelago is home to the strategically vital U.S.-U.K. airbase at Diego Garcia, a facility of significant importance in the context of ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions.

The reported plan emerged as the United Kingdom's process of transferring sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius faced delays. According to The Guardian, citing The Telegraph, Trump's administration had previously voiced strong opposition to the handover, with Trump himself calling the deal a "big mistake" in February. This opposition reportedly led the British government to halt the transfer agreement in April.

Acquiring the islands directly from Mauritius was presented as one of several options considered by the U.S. side, reportedly proposed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. However, some officials within the Trump administration expressed concerns about granting control of the archipelago to Mauritius, viewing it as a potential security risk due to Mauritius's ties with China, fearing espionage.

The discussions surrounding the potential purchase occurred against the backdrop of prolonged conflict between the U.S.-led coalition and Iran. The Diego Garcia base, situated in the central Indian Ocean roughly 3,800 kilometers from Iran, possesses an airfield capable of supporting long-range U.S. missiles. The base has been a target of Iranian attacks, with one incident in late March being intercepted by a U.S. warship.

Adding to the geopolitical complexities, the U.S. reportedly criticized a decision by the UK in March to allow missile launches against Iranian positions from the base, deeming it "too late." Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, subsequently warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that allowing British bases to be used for aggression against Iran placed British citizens' lives in danger.