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Trump hints US would not back UK over Falkland Islands due to lack of Iran war support

From BBC News · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the United States might not support Britain in a future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, citing the UK's lack of support for the U.S. war with Iran.
  • Trump said he was reviewing Washington's position on the islands, while the UK government reaffirmed that Falkland Islanders are British and should determine their own future.
  • Britain and Argentina continue to dispute sovereignty over the islands, which were the site of a 74-day war in 1982.

Donald Trump has suggested that Britain should not assume the United States would come to its aid in a future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. In an interview with GB News, Trump tied the question to Britain's refusal to support the United States in its ongoing war with Iran.

Asked whether he would help Britain in a new territorial dispute, Trump recalled the 1982 conflict, saying: "Well look, I was there when they had the first war." He praised Britain's conduct but added that the war had taken place a long time ago and far away.

Well look, I was there when they had the first war.

· Donald TrumpTrump responded to a question about whether the United States would support Britain in a future Falkland Islands conflict.

Trump then turned to the United Kingdom's role in the U.S. conflict with Iran. "Your country was not there to help me," he said, while also acknowledging that the United States did not need assistance. He said he had asked NATO and then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer why Britain had not sent ships, adding that Starmer had said no vessels were available.

Your country was not there to help me.

· Donald TrumpTrump criticized Britain's lack of support for the United States in its war with Iran.

Trump had previously said Washington might reconsider its neutral position on Falkland sovereignty if Britain failed to increase defence spending. Asked by the BBC whether he was reviewing the U.S. position, he replied: "I always review every position. That's just one of many."

Argentina's President Javier Milei is due to make a televised statement about what he calls Argentina's "historic" claim to the islands. Britain and Argentina fought for 74 days in 1982 after Argentine forces landed on the Falklands. The conflict killed 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine military personnel.

I always review every position. That's just one of many.

· Donald TrumpTrump answered whether Washington was reviewing its position on Falkland Islands sovereignty.

The British government said Falkland Islanders "are British with a right to determine their own future" and that its commitment to them was unwavering. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of island residents voted to remain a British overseas territory, with three voting against.

The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory and our commitment to them is unwavering.

· UK government spokespersonThe British government reaffirmed its position after Trump's comments.
About this summary

Originally published by BBC News. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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