Trump hints US would not back UK over Falkland Islands due to lack of Iran war support
The US president says the UK was not "there to help me" in his ongoing war with Iran.
Trump suggests US might not support UK in Falklands dispute because of lack of backing in Iran war
Previous US administrations have kept a neutral stance on the islands’ sovereignty
Donald Trump has suggested he would not necessarily support the UK in any future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
Speaking to GB News, the US president said Britain had "not been there to help me" during his country’s war with Iran, although he later added that his military did not require any assistance.
Trump’s latest comments follow earlier remarks in which he said the US could reconsider its neutral position on the islands’ sovereignty if the UK did not raise defence spending.
Argentinian President Javier Milei is set to deliver a televised address on Thursday night about what he calls his nation’s "historic" claim to the islands.
The Falklands, in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, are still at the centre of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina, more than 40 years after an armed conflict over the territory.
Asked whether he would "come to the UK's aid" in a possible territorial dispute, Trump told GB News: "Well look, I was there when they had the first war.
"That was a long time ago and I watched it so carefully, and you comported yourselves very well. You took it back pretty strongly, but it's a long way away."
Shifting to the US’ current conflict with Iran, he said: "So, your country's not doing well. Don't forget, you get a big percentage of your oil from the Strait of Hormuz, and you weren't there to help me.
"Your country was not there to help me. We didn't need help, but I did ask Nato, and I asked your former leader, 'why didn't you send a couple of ships?'
Trump said the then prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, told him no vessels were available, which "was pretty sad", he added.
He also said: "Nato was not there, even though they get – most of those countries get – a big portion of their oil from there. So we're doing that by ourselves".
Argentina and the UK fought a short but intense war over the territory in 1982. A British military task force drove out Argentine forces, which had landed on the Falklands to assert a territorial claim.
The 74 days of fighting resulted in the deaths of 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine military personnel.
Earlier US administrations have officially recognised the UK's de facto administration of the islands, but have not taken a formal position on sovereignty.
Trump’s remarks came after the BBC asked him whether he was reconsidering the US position on the islands.
He replied: "I always review every position. That's just one of many."
The UK government said Falkland islanders "are British with a right to determine their own future".
A spokesperson added: "The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory and our commitment to them is unwavering."
In a 2013 referendum, island residents voted overwhelmingly to stay a British overseas territory, with 99.8% in favour and only three against.