Trump slams UK as “Very Late” approving Diego Garcia Base for Iran strikes

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Donald Trump on Friday accused the United Kingdom of a “very late response” in granting permission for U.S. forces to use British military facilities, including the strategic Indian Ocean base at Diego Garcia, for strikes against Iranian targets.

Speaking outside the White House, Trump expressed disappointment with Washington’s closest ally, suggesting the delay reflected a lack of urgency.

“I was a little surprised at the UK, to be honest, they should have acted a lot faster,” Trump told reporters.

“The relationship is so good, but this has never happened before. They were really pretty much our first ally. They didn’t want us to use the island, the so-called island, which for some reason they gave up rights to it.”

The remarks marked a rare public rift between the two allies amid the ongoing war with Iran, now in its fourth week.

The United States has been pressing coalition partners to support military operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane effectively blockaded by Iranian forces.

Earlier Friday, the UK government confirmed it had authorized the use of its military bases, including the long-standing joint facility at Diego Garcia, for U.S. strikes targeting Iranian sites in the strait.

British officials described the decision as consistent with longstanding defense cooperation, but did not comment on the timing.

The base at Diego Garcia sits at the heart of a decades-old diplomatic dispute. It is part of the Chagos Islands archipelago, which the UK agreed last year to cede sovereignty to Mauritius under a landmark deal, while retaining a 99-year lease on the military installation.

The handover has not yet been finalized, and the arrangement has drawn criticism from both U.S. and UK conservatives who argue it complicates security arrangements.

Trump’s reference to the UK “giving up rights” to the island appeared to allude to that ongoing sovereignty transfer. His comments suggested frustration that the base’s status had introduced bureaucratic delays at a critical moment.

The latest dispute comes as the United States and Israel continue their joint offensive against Iran, which began Feb. 28. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes across the Gulf region, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a central theater of the conflict. The strait handles roughly 20% of global oil trade, and its closure has contributed to soaring energy prices.