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<\/p>\nThe sovereignty of the Falkland Islands “is unchanged”, the UK government has said, after a Pentagon email suggested the United States may review the UK’s claim to the territory as punishment over its stance on the Iran war.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the leaked memo also suggested the US was considering suspending Spain from NATO due to its disapproval of the war.<\/p>\n
A US official told Reuters that the internal Pentagon email had outlined the policy options amid frustration at some allies’ perceived reluctance or refusal to grant the United States access, basing and overflight rights for the Iran war.<\/p>\n
The Falkland Islands is considered an internally self-governing British territory after the 1982 war between the UK and Argentina, and voted almost unanimously to remain in a 2013 referendum.<\/p>\n
“We could not be clearer about the UK’s position on the Falkland Islands,” a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.<\/p>\n
“It is long-standing, it is unchanged.<\/p>\n
“Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It’s been our consistent position and will remain the case.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump has been angered by what he sees as the failure of some NATO members to back American actions in the Iran war and to help police the Strait of Hormuz, a major trade route.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He has repeatedly questioned the purpose of US membership in the group, referring to it as a “paper tiger”.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pedro Sanchez, at the EU Summit in Cyprus, said he would not be drawn into a dispute with the US over Spain’s NATO membership. (AP Photo: Petros Karadjias)<\/p>\n
Spain refuses to weigh in on dispute<\/p>\n
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez refused to be drawn into the dispute with the United States over reports it wanted to punish NATO members who did not support the war.<\/p>\n
Spain has said the US-Israeli actions in the Iran war contravene international law and has refused to allow US forces involved in the conflict in the Middle East to use its airspace or bases in its territory.<\/p>\n
Donald Trump has previously threatened to end all trade with Spain over their stance.<\/p>\n