Category: Imperialism

Power over foreign countries

Trump reportedly considers buying Chagos Islands from Mauritius | Donald Trump | The Guardian

Donald Trump is considering purchasing the Chagos Islands from Mauritius to secure US control of the Diego Garcia military base, according to the Telegraph. The proposal would circumvent UK officials by having the US negotiate directly with Mauritius after the islands are first ceded to Mauritian sovereignty, bypassing stalled British plans to transfer the territory. Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent brought the plan to Trump, though it is not described as a leading option among proposals under consideration.

The US previously blocked legislation in April that would have handed the islands to Mauritius, effectively halting the UK’s sovereignty transfer plans. Some Trump administration officials oppose ceding the island to Mauritius due to concerns that China’s alliance with Mauritius could create espionage vulnerabilities. The White House declined to comment on the reported proposal to the Guardian.

The Diego Garcia base, located in the central Indian Ocean approximately 2,360 miles from Iran, houses a US airbase capable of deploying long-range missiles and has been a strategic asset for US-UK security for nearly 60 years. Since the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February, Iran has launched multiple strikes against the joint base, including one in late March that was intercepted by a US warship. In March, the UK authorized the US to launch missile strikes against Iranian targets from Diego Garcia, a decision Trump criticized as “very late.”

A delegation from the Chagos Refugees Group, visiting the UK last week, accused the British government of allowing the issue to be “hijacked within the halls” of UK politics and demanded the right to return to their birthplace. Louis Olivier Bancoult, the delegation leader, stated the government lacks genuine commitment to resolving the displacement of Chagossians, saying “We’re still suffering and our position is clear, we have the right to live in our birthplace.” The refugees expressed support for the UK to finalize an agreement on the islands’ future.

A UK government spokesperson asserted that maintaining operational control of Diego Garcia is essential to prevent adversaries from gaining strategic footing and that the UK-Mauritius agreement was designed to address long-term security risks both nations face. When asked whether the UK would proceed without US support, a government source confirmed: “We’ve always bee

(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/07/trump-deal-chagos-islands-mauritius-uk?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=fb_us&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAST2hBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeHcaW3WDWvK8WxGqhkbE9bFsD-8EJdB_Ez3Hb_ltxfL4i85NkOIwJTm_2HI0_aem_AfM_4giNmngx1uXos9_gaw#Echobox=1780860392)n clear we wouldn’t go ahead without US support,” effectively giving the Trump administration veto power over the islands’ sovereignty transfer.

Trump administration mulls payments to sway Greenlanders to join US | Reuters

The Trump administration is actively exploring direct cash payments to Greenland’s 57,000 residents, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, totaling nearly $6 billion, to induce them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to four sources familiar with internal White House deliberations. White House officials, including national security aides, have intensified these discussions following Trump’s recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, with staff seeking to carry momentum from that operation toward Trump’s stated geopolitical objectives. Trump has publicly insisted the U.S. needs Greenland for national security and mineral resources critical to military applications.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen explicitly rejected the scheme in a Facebook post, stating “Enough is enough … No more fantasies about annexation,” after Trump again told reporters the acquisition was necessary. A joint statement from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark asserted that only Greenland and Denmark can decide matters concerning their relationship, directly rebuking Trump’s territorial ambitions. The statements reflect the alliance’s disapproval despite NATO’s mutual defense obligations binding the U.S. and Denmark.

The White House is considering multiple mechanisms to acquire the island, including military intervention, though officials claim to prefer purchase or diplomatic acquisition. One option under discussion is a Compact of Free Association (COFA), a governance model previously extended only to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, which would require Greenland’s independence from Denmark and grant the U.S. military operational freedom in exchange for essential services and duty-free trade. Payments could theoretically be deployed to manipulate Greenlanders into voting for independence or accepting a COFA agreement post-separation.

While surveys indicate overwhelming Greenlandic support for independence, most residents oppose U.S. affiliation, and economic concerns about severing ties with Denmark have prevented legislative calls for an independence referendum. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that Trump and national security officials were “looking at what a potential purchase would look like,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to meet Denmark’s foreign minister in Washington. The proposal exposes Trump’s willingness to treat sovereign populations and their self-determina(Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-administration-mulls-payments-sway-greenlanders-join-us-2026-01-08/)tion as commodities available for purchase.

US claims it has sank six Iranian boats targeting civilian ships as Trump moves to reopen Strait of Hormuz | The Independent

The U.S. military announced it sank six Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz as Trump initiated “Project Freedom,” an operation to escort commercial vessels through waters Iran has blockaded since February 28. U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper claimed Iran targeted commercial and military ships with cruise missiles, though Iran’s military denied the reports and accused the U.S. of fabricating incidents to justify military action.

Trump threatened Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attacked U.S. vessels executing Project Freedom, declaring the operation a “humanitarian” mission to free trapped ships. In a Truth Social post, Trump framed the operation as rescuing neutral parties and innocent bystanders, stating the U.S. would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways.” Trump had rejected Iran’s 14-point peace proposal, stating Tehran had “not yet paid a big enough price.”

Iran’s military leadership directly warned the U.S. that any involvement in managing Strait of Hormuz shipping violates the ceasefire and threatened to attack foreign armed forces entering the waterway. Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s unified command, declared that vessel passage “needs to be coordinated with the armed forces” and that the strait’s security remains under Iranian control. Senior Iranian lawmaker Ibrahim Azizi dismissed Trump’s initiative as delusional, rejecting the idea Washington could direct the waterway.

The UAE reported coming under Iranian attack for the first time since the April ceasefire, with its defense ministry engaging 15 missiles and four drones; one drone caused a fire at an oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. The UK Maritime Trade Organization reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE, and multiple commercial ships remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz with dwindling supplies.

Trump has reportedly received a one-month negotiation deadline from Iran regarding its proposed deal to reopen the strait. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on China to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran t(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-military-iran-warship-missiles-strait-of-hormuz-b2970104.html)o end the blockade, signaling Washington will monitor Beijing’s response.

The Latest: Trump sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran’s foreign minister | The Independent

Trump is deploying private envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan to participate in a second round of ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran, the White House announced Friday. Witkoff and Kushner lack formal government positions and operate as Trump’s personal representatives, following Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s arrival in Islamabad for preliminary talks with Pakistani officials. Vice President JD Vance will not attend the negotiations.

The Trump administration simultaneously announced economic sanctions targeting a major China-based oil refinery and approximately 40 shipping companies and tankers transporting Iranian oil as leverage in negotiations. This action implements the administration’s threat of secondary sanctions on entities conducting business with Iran, designed to eliminate Iran’s oil export revenue. Trump previously claimed the outcome of Iran negotiations makes “no difference” to American interests, while also accusing Iran of committing a “serious violation” of ceasefire terms.

Pakistan’s capital Islamabad entered near-lockdown conditions Saturday as security forces established checkpoints, road closures, and diversions throughout the city in preparation for the high-level talks. Hundreds of thousands of residents faced disrupted commutes, with soldiers and police stationed at intersections and helicopters circling overhead, particularly near the airport where Iran’s delegation arrived. Pakistan is hosting the negotiations as part of mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

Iran executed another man Saturday over alleged ties to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and participation in anti-government protests, continuing a pattern of executions following the conflict. Human rights advocates have documented that Iran conducts closed-door trials without permitting defendants adequate legal defense, with recent executions targeting alleged spies, protesters, and members of Iranian opposition groups in exile.

Germany announced plans to deploy minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean with potential transfer to the Strait of Hormuz following hostilities, pending parliamentary approval. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari is traveling to China for a week-long visit to discuss economic cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with discussions expected to include Pakistan’s role in facilitating U.S.-Iran negotiations.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pakistan-iran-islamabad-jared-kushner-jd-vance-b2964803.html)

Pete Hegseth Mocks EU’s ‘Silly Conference’ On Iran War

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attacked European Union allies on Friday for refusing to support the United States military campaign against Iran, dismissing their diplomatic efforts as worthless. Hegseth demanded that European and Asian nations abandon what he called “free riding” and contribute directly to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20 percent of global oil supplies transit, after Iran declared its own blockade following President Trump’s ceasefire extension.

Hegseth characterized a Cyprus summit where EU leaders convened to discuss Iran policy as a “silly conference” focused on “talking about talking about maybe doing something eventually.” He stated that European nations benefit far more from Strait access than the United States and should “get a boat” rather than hold meetings, framing military participation as a requirement of alliance obligations rather than a matter of sovereign choice.

The Defense Secretary framed the conflict as primarily a European and Asian concern, claiming the United States maintains an unmatched military position and has “all the time in the world” to pressure Iran into capitulation. Hegseth has previously characterized the bombing campaign as a “gift to the world,” while accusing allies of inadequate commitment and pressuring them toward direct military involvement.

Hegseth’s remarks dismiss multilateral diplomacy and international consensus-building, positioning Trump administration unilateralism as the only acceptable approach to foreign policy. The rhetoric signals the administration’s intent to coerce allied nations into military participation through blame and demands rather than negotiation or mutual strategic alignment.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/pete-hegseth-rips-europe-allies-and-their-fancy-conferences-over-lack-of-iran-war-support-time-for-free-riding-is-over/)

Hegseth says Iran war is Trump’s ‘gift to the world’ as he berates Europe and Asia for ‘freeriding’ | The Independent

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran as a “gift to the world” during a Pentagon press conference on Friday, while attacking European and Asian allies for declining to participate in the offensive military operations. Hegseth claimed the United States maintains an “ironclad blockade” on Iranian ports and accused Iran of acting as “pirates” and “terrorists” by enforcing its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the bombing campaign that began February 28.

Hegseth mocked longtime U.S. allies for what he termed “free riding,” stating that Europe and Asia have benefited from American military protection for decades while avoiding direct involvement in the current conflict. He derided recent diplomatic efforts by the United Kingdom and France, which had convened a 51-country summit announcing plans for a multinational “defensive mission” to protect merchant vessels and clear mines, calling these initiatives “a silly conference” and “not serious efforts” because they excluded offensive operations against Iranian forces.

Hegseth’s disparagement of U.S. allies aligns with President Trump’s repeated attacks on NATO as a “paper tiger” and his claims that member nations “weren’t there for us,” despite NATO’s mutual defense provision having been invoked only to defend the United States following the September 11, 2001 attacks. As Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s infrastructure, the administration has begun considering punitive measures against allied nations that refuse to join the war effort.

Trump has publicly considered withdrawing the United States from NATO, though a 2021 law authored by Secretary of State Marco Rubio would prohibit such action. A leaked Pentagon memorandum reported by Reuters indicates the administration is exploring retaliation against Britain by “reviewing” British claims to the Falkland Islands, which Argentina also claims and whose libertarian president, Javier Milei, is a Trump ally. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded by affirming that Falklanders have “overwhelmingly voted in favor of remaining a UK overseas territory” and reaffirmed Britain’s sovereignty position.

Hegseth’s remarks follow a prior Pentagon briefing in which he attacked journalists as possessing “hardened hearts,” claiming the press exhibits “relentlessly negative coverage” and “unpatriotic bias” while refusing to acknowledge what he described as the “historic and important success” of U.S. military operations in Iran.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hegseth-trump-iran-war-briefing-b2964346.html)

Starmer told ‘drill, baby, drill’ by Trump over North Sea oil fields | The Independent

Donald Trump pressured Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expand North Sea oil and gas drilling, using the phrase “drill, baby, drill” and demanding Scotland abandon wind energy development. Trump claimed the United Kingdom is “tragic” for refusing to exploit North Sea oil reserves and stated that Aberdeen “should be booming” with fossil fuel extraction, despite Europe’s stated energy security needs.

Trump asserted that Norway profits by selling North Sea oil to Britain at double the price, implying the UK should extract and sell its own resources instead. He reiterated his long-standing opposition to wind energy, calling it an “expensive joke,” and demanded the UK cease wind turbine development in Scotland while prioritizing oil drilling.

The Republican president’s intervention in UK energy policy reflects his consistent push to expand fossil fuel extraction globally and his hostility toward renewable energy infrastructure. His demands contradict the UK government’s stated climate and energy transition goals, positioning Trump as openly hostile to clean energy policy regardless of national sovereignty or environmental commitments.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-starmer-north-sea-oil-drill-b2957519.html)

Trump Announces Blockade on Iran’s Strait That Iran Already has Blockaded

President Donald Trump announced on Fox News Sunday that the United States will impose a naval blockade on all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of 21-hour negotiations with Iran. Trump claimed Iran refused to abandon its nuclear weapons program, which he characterized as the sole obstacle to an agreement, despite asserting that Iranian military capabilities were “obliterated” and its leadership “gone.”

During the phone interview with Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo, Trump stated the blockade would take time to implement but become “effective pretty soon.” He claimed Iran’s negotiating position relied solely on the threat of deploying mines in the strait, which he described as “extortion” against global shipping. Trump portrayed the talks as “very friendly” while insisting Iran’s refusal on nuclear weapons was disqualifying.

Trump represented the talks as led by Vice President JD Vance, advisor Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, describing the American delegation as “very, very good representatives.” He dismissed Iran’s negotiating stance by claiming its military had been effectively destroyed and its top leadership, including Supreme Leader Khamenei, was “gone,” assertions unsupported by documented fact.

The blockade announcement follows Trump’s earlier escalating threats against Iran and his demands that NATO members support his Iran war. Trump’s unilateral decision to blockade a critical international waterway represents a significant militarization of the conflict without apparent diplomatic alternatives or international coordination.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/were-going-to-be-blockading-trump-calls-in-to-fox-news-after-very-friendly-talks-with-iran-collapse/)

Trump Kicks Off Presser With Haunting Threat Against Iran

During a Monday press conference, President Donald Trump opened remarks about the rescue of two American military pilots by threatening Iran with annihilation, stating the country “could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night.” Trump framed the pilot rescue as a major military achievement while escalating his rhetoric about the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Trump claimed the rescue mission represented “one of the largest, most complex most harrowing combat searches” ever attempted, describing U.S. operations in the region as succeeding “at a level that nobody’s ever seen before.” The president also characterized the Easter holiday as “one of our better Easters” partly due to military performance, conflating religious observance with military aggression.

The threat came after Trump posted to Truth Social on Easter Sunday that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” explicitly targeting civilian infrastructure. Trump’s post included vulgar language directed at Iran and referenced the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrating a pattern of escalating threats against Iranian civilian targets that violate post-World War II international law prohibiting attacks on non-military locations.

Trump’s rhetoric follows previous threats to commit war crimes against Iran at a White House briefing where he falsely blamed American journalists for revealing the downed pilot’s location, despite an Israeli journalist citing Iranian state media breaking the story first. Trump demanded identification and prosecution of the alleged leaker while dismissing concerns about violations of international law prohibiting civilian infrastructure attacks.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal and stated that Iran is reviewing a Pakistani-authored pause plan ahead of Trump’s deadline. Baghaei emphasized that negotiations are incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes, indicating Iran views Trump’s public threats as precluding serious diplomatic engagement.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-issues-haunting-threat-iran-could-be-taken-out-in-one-night-and-that-night-might-be-tomorrow-night/)

Trump Threatens Iran War Crimes, Falsely Blames Media for Pilot Leak

During a Monday White House briefing, Trump used a press conference ostensibly about a successful pilot rescue to threaten extensive war crimes against Iran, including attacks on civilian infrastructure like bridges, power plants, and desalinization facilities. Trump falsely claimed that American journalists had revealed the downed pilot's location to Iran, when an Israeli journalist citing Iranian state media actually broke the story first, then demanded the identification and prosecution of the supposed leaker.

Trump reiterated threats to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure after an 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline, stating "they're gonna have no bridges, they're gonna have no power plants" and describing the outcome as returning Iran to the "stone ages." When confronted about violations of post-World War II international law prohibiting attacks on civilian targets, Trump dismissed the concern and attacked the New York Times reporter who posed the question rather than address the substance of the war crimes allegation.

Trump claimed he had intercepted communications from Iranians urging the U.S. to continue bombing their neighborhoods, asserting they would "suffer that in order to have freedom" under his campaign to weaken Iran's government. He also proposed that the U.S. could charge "tolls" for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, framing such extraction as payment for a war he claimed the U.S. had already won, despite ongoing conflict.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spent the briefing praising Trump for ordering a routine rescue mission as if it were an extraordinary achievement, with Hegseth claiming the current bombing campaign represents the "largest volume" of munitions dropped on Iran since the war began. Trump also employed a racist slur during the event, underscoring the press conference's chaotic and inflammatory tone.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal and stated that Iran is reviewing a Pakistani-authored pause plan ahead of Trump's deadline. Baghaei emphasized that negotiations are incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes, and that Iran would release its formal response in due time.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-iran-press-conference-war-crime-threats-b2952604.html)

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