Britain Refuses to Provide Military Base for US Attack on Iran

JAKARTA - The Times newspaper reported that Britain refused to provide a military base to the United States (US), including the Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands, in the central Indian Ocean, to be used in an attack on Iran.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump criticized Britain over the lease agreement for Diego Garcia Island. He said the island may be needed to face "potential attacks" from Iran if nuclear negotiations fail, and urged Britain not to "give up" Diego Garcia, despite the previous agreement.

The UK's refusal to provide the base is said to have forced Trump to withdraw his support for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, the report said.

As reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Friday, February 20, Britain has not yet given permission to the US because it is afraid of violating international law and facing legal consequences from a possible attack on Iran, according to the report.

The plan for ASuntuk to attack Iran is said to involve the Diego Garcia base, as well as the RAF Fairford air base in the UK, which is the location of the deployment of the US Air Force's heavy bomber aircraft.

On Thursday, the British Foreign Office defended the deal to hand over sovereignty of the Diego Garcia military base to Mauritius following Trump's objections. The office recalled on February 5, Trump told Starmer that the deal was the best that could be achieved.

On Tuesday, the US State Department announced that it would hold talks with Mauritius on February 23-25 to reaffirm the importance of the Diego Garcia military base for US national security.

On October 3, 2024, Britain agreed to hand over sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia Island, to Mauritius. The agreement stipulates that Britain will provide financial support and infrastructure investment to Mauritius, while retaining control over the air base on Diego Garcia for 99 years.

Mauritius has for decades opposed British sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. However, it was only in 2019 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution urging Britain to release the islands.