Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK and US leaders discuss Argentina's bid to block Malvinas oil project
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump discussed the Sea Lion oil project in a call on Friday.
The project, led by British company Rockhopper and Israeli company Navitas, is planned near the Malvinas, known in the UK as the Falkland Islands.
Argentina has asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to block the exploration, saying it threatens its rights and could worsen the sovereignty dispute.
The islands have been administered by the UK since a 1982 war, but Argentina rejects British control; islanders voted in 2013 to remain British.
Burnham said Argentina's measures could have economic consequences for the UK and US, and stressed the islanders' right to develop natural resources.
The tribunal issues binding rulings, but no decision on Argentina's request is stated.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham discussed the Sea Lion oil project with US President Donald Trump in a phone call on Friday.
Burnham raised what he called the economic consequences of Argentina’s measures for the United Kingdom and the United States.
He reiterated the islanders’ right to develop their natural resources.
Argentina has asked an international tribunal to halt the project, which is near the disputed Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.
The dispute concerns sovereignty over the islands and whether their resources can be developed without Argentina’s approval.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump.
- What
- They discussed the Sea Lion oil project and the economic consequences of Argentina’s measures.
- When
- Friday; the articles were published on October 23 and 24, 2026.
- Where
- In a phone call; the project is near the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.
- Why
- Argentina is seeking to block the project, while the UK says the islanders have the right to develop their natural resources.
United Kingdom
Argentina
Sovereignty
United Kingdom
The UK says the islanders’ right to self-determination and decision to remain British should be respected.
Argentina
Argentina claims sovereignty over the islands and rejects the 2013 referendum outcome.
Sea Lion project
United Kingdom
The UK says the islanders can develop natural resources and opposes Argentina’s coercive measures.
Argentina
Argentina says the project is unauthorised and has asked an international tribunal to halt it.
Natural resources
United Kingdom
The UK supports the islanders’ right to develop resources.
Argentina
Argentina’s government has backed a bill to bar development without authorisation from Buenos Aires.
Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain British, according to the articles.
Argentina launched sanctions proceedings against people and companies linked to Sea Lion, according to MercoPress.
Argentina’s government asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to block the project.
Burnham and Trump discussed the Sea Lion project in a phone call.
The tribunal is scheduled to hold a hearing in Hamburg, according to MercoPress.
- Project
- Sea Lion oil project
- Operators
- Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration
- Call participants
- Andy Burnham and Donald Trump
- Tribunal hearing
- November 10–11, 2026, in Hamburg
- 2013 referendum
- 99.8% voted to remain British, according to MercoPress
2 sources
What people are saying
The prime minister raised the economic consequences of Argentina's coercive measures for the UK and US and reiterated the importance of respecting the islanders' right to develop their natural resources.
seeks to preserve Argentina's sovereign rights
prevent activities authorised unilaterally and illegally by the United Kingdom from exacerbating the dispute recognised by the United Nations