Trump dodges question on defending Falklands, blasts UK over Iran war

US President Donald Trump declined to say whether he would back Britain if the long-running Falklands sovereignty dispute with Argentina erupted into armed conflict again — and instead publicly vented his frustration that the United Kingdom had not helped the United States during the Iran war.

In an interview with British broadcaster GB News that aired Thursday (local time), Trump told the host, "Your country has changed a lot," adding, "You are on the edge of a catastrophe."

He gave no clear answer when asked whether the United States would stand with Britain if the Falkland Islands — a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic that Argentina also claims — came under attack again.

Trump instead took aim at Britain's conduct during the Iran war. "You get a big percentage of your oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and you didn't come out to help me," he said.

He also recounted that during the Iran war he had asked Britain and other allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, but that then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer had declined, saying the UK had no vessels available to commit to the operation.

The Falkland Islands, administered by Britain but claimed by Argentina, have long been a flashpoint between the two countries. The two nations fought a war over the islands in 1982.

Trump's refusal to give a clear commitment on defending Britain added fresh uncertainty to the long-standing territorial dispute.

Analysts also noted that Trump maintains a close relationship with Argentine President Javier Milei, a political ally, suggesting his response again reflected a foreign policy that prioritizes personal and political interests over traditional alliances.

Trump also unloaded on the British government's diplomatic, immigration and energy policies.

On Britain's plan — since put on hold — to hand the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, home to a joint US-UK air base, over to Mauritius, Trump called it "horrible," saying it amounted to "giving it to people who shouldn't have it."

He went after Britain's immigration and energy situations as well. "You have a massive immigration problem and you have a massive energy problem," Trump said. "Energy costs are three, four times higher than they should be."

He added that if Britain could not stop people from "pouring in from all over the world," it would ultimately cease to exist as a country.

Trump extended his criticism of illegal immigration in Europe to NATO itself, pointing to a recent mass border crossing at Ceuta — a Spanish enclave in North Africa bordering Morocco. "In some ways it's an invasion of a country," he said. "It's worse than a military invasion."

He then said NATO "needs to wake up fast," criticizing European nations for their weak response to illegal immigration.

On the ongoing Iran war, Trump expressed confidence in an American victory. "It won't take that long," he said. "We've essentially already won, because they can't have nuclear weapons."

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said he believed a peace deal could still be reached. "The level of hostility between the two leaders is keeping that war going," he said, "but I think we're going to get a peace deal done."