Trump and Starmer spoke on the phone on Tuesday evening about Iran – and apparently they did not reach an agreement. Shortly thereafter, Trump attacked British Prime Minister Starmer on his “Truth Social” social networking site, even threatening to sever relations between his closest allies.
The reason is the so-called Chagos Agreement. Britain wants to hand over the archipelago that includes Diego Garcia to Mauritius – and at the same time keep the military base under a 99-year lease. “Under no circumstances” should Starmer lose the archipelago, Trump thundered.
The American president hoped to use the base to launch an airstrike against Iran. For now, Prime Minister Starmer says a firm “no”. You won't have to wait long for the consequences
“This region cannot be taken from Britain, and if it did it would be a disgrace to our great ally. We are ready to fight for Britain at any time, but it must remain strong in the face of wokeism and the other problems it faces. DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!” – Trump thundered on Truth Social.
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Diego Garcia is about 3,800 km from Iran – almost an ideal distance for bombers. It is one of two key U.S. bomber bases in the Indo-Pacific region, along with Andersen Air Base in Guam. The base's motto is “We are Ready to Fight Tonight.”
There are six B-2 stealth bombers on the atoll, which constitutes approximately 30 percent of the entire US fleet. In addition, there are B-52 bombers, refueling planes and F-15 fighters. The B-2 “Spirit” is the most expensive combat aircraft in the world – it costs $2 billion. [ponad 7,1 mld zł] per piece – and was used in June last year. during the bombing of the mullahs' underground nuclear installations. It is invisible to radar and can carry a so-called “Massive Ordnance Penetrator”: a 13.6-ton bomb designed specifically to destroy deeply buried bunkers — exactly the kind where Iran is developing its nuclear weapons.
London is concerned about international law
Why might the British ultimately withdraw? They are afraid that by giving consent they will become complicit. Under international law, a country that knowingly supports an attack is liable — even if it does not drop the bombs itself.
Some British lawyers believe that a preventive attack without an immediate threat is contrary to international law.
Meanwhile, the situation in the region is getting worse. Negotiations regarding Tehran's nuclear program have not brought the expected results, so the Americans are deploying their troops in the Middle East. This is a real show of strength.
However, the world was shocked by the movement of mullahs who partially closed the Strait of Hormuzthe most important nodal point for the world's oil trade. Asian countries are most dependent on oil supplies via this route, primarily China, India, Japan and South Korea. And it is these countries that will suffer the most in the event of any disruption.
And if the mullahs go a step further and completely close the strait, it could create a real domino effect that will hit and anger more than just the biggest players on the geopolitical chessboard.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
