National Security and Military Basing

The U.K. has effectively paused parliamentary progress on a deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while it consults with the Trump administration after President Trump publicly criticized the agreement. Ministers told MPs the ratification was "paused," though a government spokesperson later denied a formal suspension—saying no deadline was set but that Britain "will not proceed without" U.S. backing—as debate intensifies over the strategic Diego Garcia base and critics link the row to an alleged U.K. tip‑off regarding an Iran‑related operation.