Britain’s Overseas Secretary Yvette Cooper is assembly Mr. Rubio to debate defence and safety points in Washington as Mr. Trump additionally toughens his rhetoric on Iran. File
| Picture Credit score: AP
Britain’s Overseas Minister Yvette Cooper will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (February 20, 2026), after President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of London for ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which is dwelling to a U.S.-UK air base.
Final 12 months British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed a deal to switch sovereignty of the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius, whereas retaining management of 1 – Diego Garcia – by a 99-year lease that preserved U.S. operations on the base.
Washington final 12 months gave its blessing to the settlement, however Mr. Trump has since modified his thoughts a number of instances. In January, Mr. Trump described it as an act of “nice stupidity”, however earlier this month mentioned he understood the deal was the most effective Mr. Starmer may make, earlier than then renewing his criticism this week.
Ms. Cooper is assembly Mr. Rubio to debate defence and safety points in Washington as Mr. Trump additionally toughens his rhetoric on Iran, saying Tehran should make a deal over its nuclear program within the subsequent 10 to fifteen days, or “actually unhealthy issues” will occur.
The Diego Garcia base has just lately been used for operations within the West Asia in opposition to Yemen’s Houthis and in humanitarian assist to Gaza.
Trump on Diego Garcia
Though on Tuesday Mr. Rubio’s State Division mentioned it backed the Chagos accord, the subsequent day Mr. Trump mentioned Britain was making a giant mistake.
“DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!” Mr. Trump wrote in a put up on Reality Social, saying the bottom might be known as upon in any future army operation to “eradicate a possible assault” from Iran.
Underneath the circumstances for utilizing the joint base, Britain would want to agree upfront to any operations out of Diego Garcia.
On Thursday (February 19, 2026) Britain’s The Instances newspaper reported that Mr. Trump’s newest criticism of the Chagos deal got here as a result of Britain was but to offer permission to make use of the bases for future strikes in opposition to Iran, owing to considerations they might breach worldwide legislation.
Requested about The Instances report, Britain’s Ministry of Defence mentioned on Thursday (February 19, 2026) it doesn’t touch upon operational issues and that Britain supported the continuing political course of between the U.S. and Iran.
Printed – February 20, 2026 06:14 pm IST