UK hits back at Argentinian Falklands claim and insists islands remain British

• 01Argentine President Javier Milei stated that "winds of change" favorable to Argentina's claim to the Falklands are "blowing around the world" and that his country needs to take the islands back.
• 02UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband posted on X that the UK's position on the Falklands is "unwavering," asserting the islands are British because of the "overwhelming position of the Islanders" and that the UK will "resolutely uphold" their right of self-determination.
• 03UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated on X that the Falklands are British because Islanders choose to be, describing the UK's commitment as "absolute and unshakeable" and characterizing Milei's remarks as reflecting domestic Argentine politics.
• 04UK Education Secretary Lucy Powell stated the UK will defend the right of Falkland Islanders to determine their own future.
• 05US President Donald Trump told GB News that he does not know if the UK is prepared to take back the islands in the event of an Argentine invasion, citing the UK's refusal to allow him to use British bases for an attack on Iran earlier in the year.
• 06Argentine President Javier Milei highlighted Trump's comments, claiming the US is "re-evaluating its historic position" regarding the Malvinas and stating that companies developing oil "behind the back of the Argentine government" would be barred from doing business in Argentina.
• 07Rockhopper Energy's shares dropped 7% in early trading on Friday following Milei's announcement regarding oil companies.
• 08The UK and Argentina fought a war over the islands in 1982, resulting in the defeat of Argentinian troops by British forces.
• 09Rockhopper and Navitas have been developing the Sea Lion oilfield, located 140 miles north of the Falkland Islands.

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British ministers defended UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands after Argentine President Javier Milei reiterated his country's claim and cited recent comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting a re-evaluation of the US position. UK officials including Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed that the islands are British due to the will of the Islanders, while Trump indicated uncertainty about US support for the UK in the event of an Argentine invasion. Following Milei's threat to ban companies operating on the islands without Argentine approval, Rockhopper's stock price fell by 7%.