Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Meanwhile on Diego Garcia...

(don't tell P.M. Starmer) 

First up, via Guido Fawkes:

WATCH: Chagossian First Minister Misley Mandarin has - from the new settlement on the Chagos archipelago - given Donald Trump formal permission to strike Iran from Diego Garcia.

He says: "We, the people of the Chagos Islands, give our blessing for the United States to use the base at Diego Garcia for strikes against the Iranian regime – in defence of the Iranian people."

His full statement:
"Today, I stand not in exile, but on our own soil, as the democratically elected head of government of the Chagos Islands.

Let the world hear this clearly.

We are here.

We govern here.

And we decide what happens here.

For too long, decisions about Diego Garcia were made in distant capitals, without our voice, without our consent. That era is over.

Diego Garcia is not just a military base. It is a pillar of stability in the Indian Ocean. It protects trade routes, deters aggression, and helps preserve global security. These are dangerous times and so I must be absolutely clear ....

If the United States decides that action is needed to defend international order, then as the elected Government of these islands, we give our permission for the use of Diego Garcia in defence of peace, secured through strength.

Once again, to be clear …

We, the people of the Chagos Islands, give our blessing for the United States to use the base at Diego Garcia for strikes against the Iranian regime – in defence of the Iranian people.

This is our sovereign decision.

President Trump understands the strategic importance of this island. He understands that peace is preserved through strength, not hesitation.

To the President of the United States, I say this directly:

You have our partnership.

You have our co-operation.

You have our permission.

We hope this partnership will be mutual.

If our homeland stands as a shield for America and its allies, then America must stand as a shield for our people. We seek formal recognition of our government, binding guarantees of our right of return, and permanent protection of our indigenous lands.

The Chagos Islands will not be a bargaining chip. We will not be spoken for. And we will not be silent. We stand with those who defend stability. We stand with those who defend our common values. We stand with those who stand with us. God Bless the United States of America." 

 

And a market-manipulation flashback:

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