Trump Administration Reportedly Considering Purchase of Chagos Islands Amid Strategic Concerns

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a plan to purchase the strategically important Chagos Archipelago, according to a report by the British newspaper The Telegraph.

The report claims that Washington is exploring alternative options after plans to transfer sovereignty of the archipelago from the United Kingdom to Mauritius stalled amid political and legal complications.

The White House did not comment on the report when approached by British media.

According to The Telegraph, one proposal under discussion within the Trump administration would involve bypassing British officials and negotiating directly to acquire the islands. Such a move could secure long-term American control over Diego Garcia, home to a major joint US-UK military base located in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

However, any such transaction would first require a clear determination of the islands’ sovereign status. Only after sovereignty issues are resolved could the United States potentially engage in direct negotiations with Mauritius regarding ownership or long-term control.

The report noted that legal initiatives aimed at transferring the Chagos Islands to Mauritius were suspended in April after the United States reportedly withdrew support for the proposed arrangement. It added that purchasing the archipelago is only one of several options currently being examined and has not yet emerged as the administration’s preferred course of action.

The proposal was reportedly presented to Trump by Scott Bessent. Nevertheless, sources cited by the newspaper said it remains one of several policy alternatives rather than a leading strategy.

Some officials within the administration are reportedly concerned that transferring control of the islands to Mauritius could create strategic opportunities for China. They argue that Mauritius’ international relationships could potentially increase security and intelligence risks in the region.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Chagos Refugees Group visiting the United Kingdom last week criticized the way the future of the archipelago has become entangled in British domestic politics.

The group's leader, Louis Olivier Bancoult, said the primary concern for displaced islanders remains the recognition of their rights.

“The most important issue is our rights,” Bancoult said, adding that Chagossians continue to seek the right to return and live in their homeland.

Renewed attention to the Chagos Islands is also being driven by current regional security concerns. The strategic significance of Diego Garcia has increased amid heightened tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States in recent months.

Located in the central Indian Ocean, Diego Garcia lies approximately 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles) from Iran and hosts military facilities capable of supporting long-range operations. Reports indicate that the base has become increasingly important to US and allied military planning in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer against allowing British-controlled facilities to be used in military operations targeting Iran, arguing that such decisions could place British interests at risk.

Responding to ongoing debate over the islands, a spokesperson for the British government said the current administration inherited a situation in which British control over Diego Garcia faced legal and diplomatic challenges. The spokesperson emphasized that protecting national interests and preventing rival powers from gaining influence in the region remain key priorities.

“Diego Garcia is a vital strategic military asset for both the United Kingdom and the United States,” the spokesperson said, noting that the base has supported joint security operations for nearly six decades.

A British government source also reiterated that London would not proceed with any sovereignty agreement involving Mauritius without American support.

The renewed discussion over the future of the Chagos Islands has intensified geopolitical debate surrounding security in the Indian Ocean, US-UK military cooperation, China’s growing regional influence, and broader tensions involving Iran. Analysts expect the issue to remain a significant topic in international diplomacy in the coming months.