The Trump administration is exploring alternatives to maintain control of the base considered vital for Western security
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The White House is studying a proposal for the United States to buy the Chagos archipelago from Mauritius in order to ensure long-term control of the strategic military base at Diego Garcia, an installation considered key to U.S. and Western security in the Indian Ocean.
According to information published this Sunday by British media, officials from President Donald Trump's administration have developed various alternatives to prevent the transfer of sovereignty pushed by the United Kingdom from affecting U.S. military operations in the region. Among these options is the possibility of negotiating directly with Mauritius for the purchase of the archipelago, an initiative that would allow Washington to secure the future of the base without relying on British political agreements.
The proposal arises after the British government suspended in April plans to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The project had generated concern among sectors of the U.S. administration, which believe that any change in the status of the territory could jeopardize one of the most important military installations for the global projection of the United States.
Diego Garcia hosts a joint base between the United States and the United Kingdom that plays a central role in military, intelligence, and surveillance operations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Its strategic location, in the center of the Indian Ocean, allows for rapid deployment of air and naval forces to some of the world's most conflict-ridden regions.
Diego Garcia Base houses forces from the United States and the United Kingdom, being a strategic position in the Indian Ocean
The importance of the installation has increased significantly since the start of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran at the end of February. Located about 3,800 kilometers from Iranian territory, the base has become an essential support point for Western operations in the region. Since the beginning of the conflict, Iranian forces have attempted to attack Diego Garcia using drones and missiles, although U.S. defenses have managed to intercept those threats.
U.S. officials believe that the growing instability in the Middle East reinforces the need to maintain total control over the installation. The base has infrastructure capable of receiving strategic bombers, advanced defense systems, and equipment intended for long-range operations, making it a military asset that is difficult to replace.
According to reports, the initiative has been driven by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who presented the proposal to Trump as one of several options aimed at protecting U.S. interests in the area. Although the purchase of the archipelago is not currently the preferred alternative within the White House, it reflects the level of concern about the future of the territory.
The idea is said to have been presented to Trump by Scott Bessent and is one of the many alternatives being considered at the White House
One of the factors fueling these concerns is the relationship between Mauritius and China. Some U.S. officials fear that a potential transfer of sovereignty could increase Beijing's influence over a location considered critical for international security. The strategic rivalry between the United States and China has led Washington to closely examine any movement that could affect key military installations or maritime corridors of global importance.
Trump has publicly expressed his opposition to the transfer of the islands. In statements made in recent months, he called the British plan a strategic mistake and argued that relinquishing control of such an important enclave could weaken the defensive capacity of the West against emerging threats.
The issue has also generated diplomatic tensions between London and Washington. Although both countries maintain close military cooperation, the U.S. administration believes that any decision regarding the future of Diego Garcia must ensure the unrestricted continuity of joint military operations.
The U.S. government has expressed concerns about Mauricio's relationship with the communist regime of Xi Jinping, an ally of the Iranian regime
The relevance of the base was once again highlighted during recent confrontations with Iran. In March, the United Kingdom authorized the United States to use Diego Garcia as a platform for operations against Iranian missile launchers. This decision provoked strong criticism from Tehran, whose Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the British government of directly involving itself in military actions against the Islamic regime.
Subsequent Iranian threats reinforced the arguments of those advocating for the need to maintain a strong military presence in the region. Security analysts argue that Diego Garcia plays a fundamental role not only in defending U.S. interests but also in protecting strategic maritime routes through which a significant portion of global trade passes.
As discussions continue regarding the future of the archipelago, the White House maintains ongoing contacts with the British government to evaluate alternatives that ensure the operability of the base. Although there is still no definitive decision, the possibility of a direct acquisition by the United States demonstrates the importance that Washington attributes to Diego Garcia in an international scenario marked by geopolitical competition and increasing regional conflicts.
The head of the Iranian regime's diplomacy has criticized the United Kingdom, accusing it of interfering in military actions against Tehran
