US EditionUK foreign minister to meet Rubio amid tensions over joint air base
The meeting addressed UK-US defence cooperation amid renewed US criticism of the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal and rising tensions with Iran, with the Diego Garcia base central to discussions.
- On Friday, February 20, 2026, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss defence, security, and trade, and attend the National Governors' Association reception.
- On Monday, four Chagossians arrived after sailing from Sri Lanka and were served eviction notices, while a judge temporarily blocked their deportation and the men's lawyers won a seven-day injunction.
- Last year Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck the sovereignty deal that kept Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease, requiring Britain’s prior consent for any operations.
- Facing rising tensions, U.S. officials are weighing possible military steps as President Donald Trump warns Iran to strike a deal in the next 10 to 15 days or face 'really bad things', with a second American warship moving into the region.
- Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Thursday it supports the ongoing political process between the U.S. and Iran and will not comment on operational matters, despite Washington last year backing the sovereignty agreement.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Trump’s Iran warning gives UK whiplash over Chagos island deal
President Trump’s attack plans for Iran have roiled a deal for the United Kingdom to cede control of the tiny and isolated island of Diego Garcia, where a strategic American air base sits in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean. Trump took to his Truth Social media account Wednesday to warn British Prime Minister [...]
UK foreign minister to meet Rubio amid tensions over joint air base
Britain's foreign minister Yvette Cooper will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, after President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of London for ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which is home to a U.S.-UK air base.
Trump Warns Of Using Diego Garcia As US And UK Hold High-Level Talks
The United States and Britain are set to hold talks in Washington over potential use of the Diego Garcia military base as tensions rise with Iran, according to CBS News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper amid disagreement over Britain’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia long term. President Trump is absolutely right to tell Starmer to ab…
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