Argentina has renewed its call for talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, following reports that the United States could review its position on the South Atlantic territory in retaliation for Sir Keir Starmer's lack of support for the war in Iran.
UK Reaffirms Stance
Downing Street had earlier insisted that the sovereignty of the Falklands was "not in question." This came after an internal Pentagon email, first reported by Reuters, outlined options for President Donald Trump's administration to punish NATO allies for refusing to join US-Israeli strikes against Iran. The memo suggested reassessing US diplomatic support for "imperial possessions" such as the Falklands.
"The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and we've always stood behind the islanders' right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK," a No 10 spokesman said. "The question of the Falkland Islands and the UK's sovereignty and the islanders' right to self-determination is not in question, and we've expressed that position clearly and consistently."
Argentina's Response
Argentina's foreign minister, Pablo Quirno, responded on social media: "The Argentine Republic once again expresses its willingness to resume bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom that will allow for finding a peaceful and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute and bring an end to the special and particular colonial situation in which they are immersed."
The Falkland Islands government expressed "complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK Government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination."
Strained US-UK Relations
The dispute is the latest sign of strains in the US-UK relationship as the King and Queen prepare for their state visit on Monday. Downing Street expressed confidence that the trip would "showcase the very best of the UK-US bilateral relationship."
President Trump is an ally of Argentina's President Javier Milei, while his relationship with Sir Keir has deteriorated dramatically since the start of the Iran crisis. The Prime Minister has refused to give the US free rein in its use of British military bases for the bombing campaign against Iran. Limited permission was granted for bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory, for defensive actions against Iran's missile sites and installations threatening the Strait of Hormuz, but only after Tehran's retaliatory actions began.
Potential Shift Considered
The US State Department describes the Falklands as "administered by the United Kingdom, claimed by Argentina" and uses the Spanish name Islas Malvinas alongside the English name. The potential for a shift in the US position has been considered in the Foreign Office, although it has been treated as a "hypothetical scenario."
Ben Judah, a former special adviser to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, said the potential shift had been considered as a hypothetical scenario when he was working in the Foreign Office, and that "the Milei issue is actually a concern." He suggested converting the islands from overseas territories to overseas kingdoms, represented by MPs elected to Westminster. "If this were already the case, His Majesty would be visiting Washington to see Trump this week as King of the Kingdom of the Falklands," he said.
Reactions from UK Politicians
The Pentagon email expressed frustration at NATO allies' reluctance to grant access, basing, and overflight rights for the Iran war. It suggested Spain could be suspended from the NATO alliance over its refusal to allow bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran. Downing Street backs Spain's membership of the "absolutely critical" alliance.
Reform UK's Nigel Farage said he would raise the issue of the Falklands personally with the Argentinian president when he visits him later this year and tell him their status is "non-negotiable."
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called the US stance "absolute nonsense" and compared it to Mr Trump's comments on Greenland. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the King's visit to the US should be cancelled, adding: "The state visit should clearly be pulled – this unreliable, damaging president cannot keep insulting our country."
