Trump signals withdrawal of UK support in Falkland Islands dispute over Iran war stance – BBC News Arabic
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Donald Trump has hinted that he will not help Britain in a possible conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
In an interview with GB News, the US president said Britain was “not there to help me” in his country’s war with Iran, although he later said his troops did not need any support.
Trump’s latest comments come after he previously said the United States may reconsider its neutral stance on the islands’ sovereignty if the United Kingdom fails to increase defense spending.
Argentine President Javier Mille is set to make a televised announcement Thursday evening about what he describes as his country’s “historic claim” to the islands.
The Falkland Islands, located in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, remain the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina, more than 40 years after armed conflict broke out over the territory.
Asked if he would “help the United Kingdom” in a potential territorial dispute, Trump told GB News: “Well, I was there when they fought the first war.” “That was a long time ago and I have followed this matter very carefully and you have done very well. You have retaken the islands quite firmly, but they are very far away.”
He then turned his remarks to the conflict between the United States and Iran, adding: “Your country is not doing well. Don’t forget that you get a large percentage of your oil through the Strait of Hormuz and you were not there to help me.”
“Your country wasn’t there to help me. We didn’t need help, but I asked NATO and asked your former leader: Why didn’t you send two ships?”
Trump said then-prime minister Keir Starmer told him there were no ships available, which Trump called “very unfortunate.”
He also added: “NATO didn’t exist, but most of these countries get most of their oil from there. So we’re taking matters into our own hands.”
Argentina and the United Kingdom fought a brief but bloody war over the territory in 1982. British military forces were able to repel Argentine forces that had landed on the Falkland Islands to assert their territorial claim.
The 74-day battle involved 255 members of the British Armed Forces, three islanders and 649 members of the Argentine Armed Forces.
The previous administration of the United States officially recognized the de facto administration of the British Isles, but did not take an official position on sovereignty over them.
Trump’s comments came after the BBC asked him if he would discuss America’s position on the islands.
The president responded, “I always consider all positions. This is just one position.”
The British government responded by saying that the people of the Falklands “are British and have the right to determine their own future”.
A government spokesman added: “The islanders have repeatedly expressed their desire to remain a British overseas territory and our commitment to them is unwavering.”
In a referendum held in 2013, the islanders voted to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8 percent in favor and just three people voting against.