British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is meeting Mr Rubio to discuss defense and security issues in Washington as Mr Trump also toughens his rhetoric on Iran. file | Photo credit: AP
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (Feb 20, 2026), after President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of London for handing over sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, home to a US-UK air base.
Last year British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to a deal to transfer sovereignty of the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius, while controlling one – Diego Garcia – through a 99-year lease securing US operations at the base.
Washington gave its blessing to the deal last year, but Mr Trump has since changed his mind several times. In January, Mr. Trump called it an act of “great folly,” but earlier this month, before renewing his criticism this week, Mr. Starmer said he understood the deal was the best he could do.
Mr. Mr. Trump is also in Washington to discuss defense and security issues as he toughens his rhetoric on Iran. Ms. Cooper, who is meeting Rubio, said Tehran must reach a deal on its nuclear program in the next 10 to 15 days or “really bad things” will happen.
The Diego Garcia base has recently been used in West Asia for operations against Yemen’s Houthis and for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Trump on Diego Garcia
On Tuesday Mr Rubio said the State Department supported the Chagos deal, but the next day Mr Trump said Britain was making a big mistake.
“Don’t give up on Diego Garcia!” Mr. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that the base could be called upon in any future military operation to “eliminate a potential attack” from Iran.
As a condition of using the joint base, Britain had to agree in advance to any activities from Diego Garcia.
Thursday (February 19, 2026) Britain Times The newspaper reported that Mr Trump’s latest criticism of the Chagos deal comes as Britain is yet to be allowed to use the bases for future attacks on Iran over concerns it could breach international law.
Asked about Times According to the report, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said on Thursday (February 19, 2026) that it would not comment on operational matters and that Britain supports the ongoing political process between the US and Iran.
Published – February 20, 2026 06:14 pm IST
