Reference News Network, February 19 report: According to AFP, on February 18, US President Donald Trump once again changed his position, warning the UK not to "hand over" an important military base in the Indian Ocean on the 18th, saying that the base would be crucial if the US attacked Iran.

London quickly responded, defending the agreement aimed at returning the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius and leasing the military base on Diego Garcia Island.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said in a statement that the agreement is "crucial to the security of the UK and its main allies." He added that it is "the only way to secure the long-term future of this important military base."

Trump wrote on the "Truth Social" website, "Don't hand over Diego Garcia!" just a few hours after the US State Department reiterated its support for the British agreement.

The US State Department said on February 17 that it would discuss the strategically significant US-UK joint military base on Diego Garcia Island with Mauritius next week.

Initially, London's decision to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius caused anger from Trump, but he eventually expressed understanding of the "agreement" in early February, while claiming he would defend the US military presence in this very sensitive region.

However, Trump said on February 18 that British Prime Minister Starmer "should never lose control of Diego Garcia by signing a lease that is at least questionable, a century-long lease."

He added, "This territory should not be taken away from the UK."

Trump pointed out, "If Iran decides not to reach an agreement, the US may have to use the Diego Garcia base and the airfield in Fairford, UK, to eliminate any attacks that an extremely unstable and dangerous regime might launch."

When asked about this obvious shift in position, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt responded, "This post should be considered as the policy of the Trump administration." (Translated by Liu Zhuo)

Original source: toutiao.com/article/7608426476035195433/

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