US military base at Diego Garcia thrown back into uncertainty amid Chagos deal turmoil

The Chagos Islands woody fell into disarray Wednesday amid conflicting U.K. authorities messages astir whether ratification was paused for talks with the United States implicit the strategical Indian Ocean subject basal Diego Garcia.

Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer had told members of Parliament that ratification of the woody to cede the islands to Mauritius had been paused portion discussions with Washington continued.

A U.K. authorities spokesperson aboriginal denied determination was immoderate ceremonial suspension of the process, insisting nary deadline had ever been acceptable and reiterating that Britain would not determination guardant without American backing.

"We are continuing discussions with the U.S., and we person been wide we volition not proceed without their support," the spokesperson said, Reuters reported.

Diego Garcia successful the Chagos Islands is simply a strategical Indian Ocean subject basal hosting 2,500 U.S. personnel. (Reuters)

The disorder saw critics assertion the woody reveals weaknesses that could impact Western information amid heightened tensions.

"The U.S. saw this first-hand erstwhile the U.K. alerted Mauritius to an impending cognition against Iran — an alert Mauritius past protested," Robert Midgley, spokesperson for Friends of the British Overseas Territories, told Fox News Digital.

"This is what prompted President [Donald] Trump’s statement," Midgley said, aft Trump publically criticized the woody contempt having initially supported it.

Trump had reignited the contention Feb. 18 successful a station connected Truth Social, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to wantonness the agreement.

"DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!" Trump wrote, calling the woody a "big mistake" and placing further strain connected transatlantic negotiations.

STARMER SENDS UK STRIKE GROUP TO ARCTIC, CITES RISING RUSSIA THREAT AS TRUMP PUSHES GREENLAND DEAL

The statement would spot Britain cede sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius portion securing a 99-year lease implicit Diego Garcia, the strategically captious land that hosts a large associated U.S.-U.K. subject base. (Planet Labs PBC)

Midgley argued the woody should beryllium "withdrawn" successful enactment with Trump’s wishes.

"The U.K. authorities should present spell 1 measurement further and retreat the measure from Parliament and find an alternate solution," helium said.

"Ministers person inadvertently exposed that the woody has nary ineligible ground and risks creating a much insecure satellite successful the look of states similar China and Iran," helium added.

The agreement, struck past year, would spot Britain cede sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius portion securing a 99-year lease implicit Diego Garcia, the strategically captious land that hosts a large associated U.S.-U.K. subject base.

The basal plays a cardinal relation successful operations crossed the Middle East, Africa and the Indo-Pacific, meaning the connection has faced mounting governmental unit connected some sides of the Atlantic.

TRUMP SIGNALS WILLINGNESS TO DEFEND DIEGO GARCIA MILITARY BASE IF FUTURE DEAL THREATENS US ACCESS

President Trump has urged the United Kingdom to not springiness distant Diego Garcia. (Reuters Photos)

The authorities is presently earlier the House of Lords, wherever objections person been raised. No day has yet been acceptable for a statement oregon vote, further adding to the uncertainty.

Midgley urged Washington to proceed to defy the statement and backmost Britain successful retaining power of the territory.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"The U.S. should basal firm, proceed to cull the deal, and enactment the U.K. successful asserting sovereignty to assistance sphere the aboriginal of Western security," helium warned.

Fox News Digital has reached retired to the UK authorities for comment.

Related Article