The remote U.S. military base on Diego Garcia has become a critical hub in the ongoing conflict with Iran, with the Pentagon rerouting logistics to the Indian Ocean island after an Iranian strike targeted a major U.S. installation in Bahrain. The base, located in the southern Chagos Archipelago, is integral to U.S. forces and regional stability, according to an official from the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile.
Diego Garcia is reportedly supporting carrier strike groups, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, which have conducted air operations and enforced a blockade of Iranian ports. The U.S. military's wartime logistics network now extends to Diego Garcia, creating a maritime supply route of approximately 2,200 miles. This shift allows forces to bypass coastal facilities that could be vulnerable to Iranian attacks, though it necessitates longer replenishment runs.
James Tumbridge, attorney general for the Chagossian government-in-exile, stated that while the rerouting presents an inconvenience, it highlights the strategic importance of the base. He also noted that Bahrain is a more accessible target, making the logistical change logical. Tumbridge expressed hope that the current British Prime Minister would not impede the U.S. military's use of the base.
The increased reliance on Diego Garcia comes as the U.K. and Mauritius are nearing a treaty that would recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while allowing the U.K. to retain control of Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period. This agreement faced a hold from the British government amid renewed U.S. concerns about the sovereignty transfer. Reports have surfaced of U.S. officials exploring direct deals to control Diego Garcia, potentially bypassing Britain.
The U.K. government permitted the U.S. to use Diego Garcia for defensive operations targeting Iranian missile capabilities in March, after initially withholding approval for offensive strikes. This followed an incident where Iran reportedly fired two ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia. One missile failed in flight, and a U.S. warship engaged the other with an interceptor, which British officials later confirmed was successful. Tumbridge indicated that these attempts demonstrated a lack of Iranian range and targeting ability, and expressed skepticism about Iran attempting to target the outer islands.
In October 2023, a U.S. B-2 Spirit bomber was refueled at the Diego Garcia base following a mission over Afghanistan. The base hosts approximately 2,500 U.S. military personnel and has been leased from the U.K. since 1966. The renewed focus on Diego Garcia occurs as the USS Abraham Lincoln approaches nine months of continuous deployment in the region, with a replacement aircraft carrier reportedly being dispatched to the Middle East.