‘How dare they!’ Ex-military chief brands Trump’s Falklands threat an ‘insult’
A former military chief has hit out at reports that the US may review Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as revenge for a lack of support in the Iran war, describing the threats as an “insult”.
A leaked internal Pentagon email has suggested a review of Washington’s stance on Britain’s claim to the islands, as US officials outlined ways to punish NATO allies for their response to the conflict that has erupted in the Middle East.
The secret memo, which also discussed suspending Spain from the alliance, expresses frustration with some allies’ reluctance or refusal to support Washington’s military action against Tehran.
Admiral Lord West of Spithead – commander of HMS HotA frigate sunk in the Falklands War was told Independent The reports were “an insult to the autonomous, self-reliant and free people of the Falkland Islands”, adding: “How dare they!”
But he also rejected the threats, saying that losing US support for British sovereignty militarily would have “no effect”.
“Recognition or non-recognition by the United States does not make the islands any less safe,” the former Royal Navy commander-in-chief added.
The defense of the Falkland Islands, now a British Overseas Territory, is provided by the United Kingdom from a permanent military base called RAF Mount Pleasant, built in the Falkland Islands and opened by the Duke of York in 1985.
Operated exclusively by British forces and not shared with the United States, the base is a significant military asset, with 1,300 to 1,700 military and civilian personnel at any one time forming the center of the British army’s presence in the South Atlantic.
The leaked memo, which included the option of reconsidering US diplomatic support for Europe’s long-standing “imperial possessions” such as the Falkland Islands, reveals the tense relations between Britain and the Trump administration that have deteriorated in the wake of the Iran war.
The islands are administered by the United Kingdom but are still claimed by Argentina, whose libertarian president Javier Milei is a Trump ally.
Britain and Argentina fought a brief war over the islands in 1982, following a failed attempt by Argentina to take them. Approximately 650 Argentine soldiers and 255 British soldiers died before Argentina surrendered.
Since launching his attack on Iran, the US president has repeatedly attacked NATO allies, branding the alliance a “paper tiger” and threatening to withdraw from the alliance altogether.
He has also repeatedly attacked Britain and Sir Keir Starmer, saying he was “no Winston Churchill” after he initially rejected a request for the US to attack Iran from British bases.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the US War Department would ensure Mr Trump “has reliable options to ensure our allies are no longer paper tigers but do their part.”
“As President Trump said, despite everything the United States did for our NATO allies, they were not on our side,” he said.
Mr. Trump also openly considered withdrawing from NATO, asking: “Wouldn’t you do that if you were me?” When asked about the possibility of a US withdrawal earlier this month.
Downing Street has been contacted for comment.
