UK Pauses Chagos Islands Deal

The United Kingdom has paused plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, amid concerns from the United States, according to Reuters.

Aerial view of the Chagos Islands. (Photo: NASA Johnson)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said it would not advance the required legislation without US backing. President Donald Trump has criticized the deal, calling it a “mistake.”

The agreement would allow the UK to retain control of the strategically important Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease, preserving joint US-UK military operations.