Argentina has intensified its campaign against oil exploration in the Falkland Islands, launching sanctions proceedings against 15 further individuals and companies and filing a criminal complaint against Israeli energy firm Navitas Petroleum. President Javier Milei's government argues these firms are breaking Argentine law by operating under British-issued licences in the North Falkland Basin, reasserting Argentina's long-standing sovereignty claim over the British overseas territory. The move follows suggestions from US President Donald Trump that Washington might not back Britain in a future Falklands conflict, adding a new dimension to tensions that date back to the 1982 war.

The latest sanctions add to action already taken against 45 people and companies the previous week, with Buenos Aires also planning new legislation to punish firms involved in drilling near the islands. Argentina's claim runs counter to the 2013 referendum in which 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain British. The UK government has rejected Milei's stance, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband calling Britain's commitment to the islands "unwavering" and citing islanders' right to self-determination under international law.