Most dangerous countries face renewed Falklands tensions as Trump offers to settle potential UK-Argentina conflict

US President Donald Trump stated he expects to be called upon to settle any potential new conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, which he described as a potential disaster, amid escalating tensions in the South Atlantic and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East involving Iran, the Houthis, and Gulf states in most dangerous countries. [1]

Trump's Comments on the Falklands Dispute

US President Donald Trump said in Dublin on Saturday that he expects to be called in if a new conflict breaks out between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falklands, which he described as a “potential disaster,” and said he would probably be able to settle it. [1] Trump spoke to reporters alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin during a two-day visit to Ireland. [1] Asked whether he had raised the subject in last week's phone call with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, he did not answer directly, saying the matter is “very interesting” and that “here we go again.” [1] In the same remarks he questioned Britain's willingness to deploy forces to the South Atlantic in the event of an invasion like that of 1982. [1] He said he did not know whether they would be willing to travel that far, that it would take “weeks by boat,” and that the United Kingdom has “a little problem with immigration,” another “with energy” and other matters to deal with. [1] He added that for now there are two countries that are unhappy over the archipelago. [1] The remarks follow an interview with British channel GB News in which he sidestepped a question on whether the United States would come to Britain's aid. [1] There he recalled the 1982 war, said the British had conducted themselves well, noted that the archipelago is a long way away and criticized Britain's absence from the military campaign against Iran, mentioning that the United Kingdom receives a large share of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz. [1] Asked separately by the BBC whether the US position was under review, he said he reviews every position and that this is one of many. [1] At no point did he state that he would not back the United Kingdom. [1] The United States has never taken a formal position on sovereignty over the archipelago, though it recognizes British de facto administration and provided support for the 1982 military campaign. [1]

Escalation in Argentine Claims and Actions

Donald Trump speaks to reporters alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin. — Source: gdelt On Wednesday, Burnham told the House of Commons his government would be “relentless” in defending the islanders' right to choose to be British. [1] In the 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters chose to retain the status of a British overseas territory, with three votes against. [1] The comments come amid an escalation. [1] Argentine President Javier Milei restated his country's claim in a televised address, saying the islands “are our future.” [1] His government filed a criminal complaint on Monday against five companies linked to the Sea Lion oil project and raised to 60 the number of individuals and companies facing administrative proceedings, which remain open with no penalty applied. [1] On Thursday, the State Department approved a possible sale of four Black Hawk helicopters to Argentina for US$140 million. [1] The 1982 war lasted 74 days and left 649 Argentine service personnel, 255 British and three islanders dead. [1]

US Position on Middle East Conflicts and Houthi Outreach

"Am purtat discuţii. Houthi ne-au contactat" şi "nu vor ca noi să îi atacăm", a spus preşedintele american, în declaraţii făcute presei în timpul unei vizite în Irlanda. [2] Întrebat în timpul întâlnirii sale cu prim-ministrul irlandez Micheál Martin, Donald Trump a confirmat că a avut o discuţie cu prinţul moştenitor şi conducătorul de facto al Arabiei Saudite, Mohammed bin Salman, pe care l-a numit "prieten". [2] Preşedintele american a prezis că "totul va merge de minune", în ciuda intensificării ostilităţilor din regiune. [2] Potrivit publicaţiei online Axios, "MBS", aşa cum este poreclit prinţul saudit, l-a sunat pe Donald Trump de două ori joi pentru a-i cere să lovească rebelii yemeniţi, dar a fost respins. [2] Ofensiva fulgerătoare a rebelilor Houthi are ca rezultat faptul că vecina Arabie Saudită, primul exportator mondial de ţiţei, se află într-o situaţie dificilă, întrucât Strâmtoarea Ormuz, situată de cealaltă parte a peninsulei, este blocată de Teheran încă de la începutul războiului din Orientul Mijlociu. [2] De asemenea, infrastructura sa petrolieră a fost, în această săptămână, ţinta unui atac de amploare cu drone şi rachete lansat de Houthi. [2] Preşedintele american, aflat în pragul alegerilor de la jumătatea mandatului - care ar putea să îl facă să piardă controlul asupra Congresului - şi ştiind că războiul cu Iranul este foarte nepopular, pare să opteze acum pentru o strategie mai puţin deschis belicoasă în Orientul Mijlociu. [2] Prinţul moştenitor saudit Mohammed bin Salman a solicitat joi asistenţă militară din partea preşedintelui Donald Trump pentru a ajuta la combaterea grupării Houthi din Yemen, aliniată cu Iranul, au declarat vineri şi pentru Reuters trei surse familiarizate cu această chestiune, pe fondul intensificării ameninţării reprezentate de Houthi la Marea Roşie. [2] Trump a purtat joi cel puţin două convorbiri telefonice cu liderul saudit şi nu a fost de acord ca SUA să lanseze atacuri asupra grupării Houthi, au precizat sursele. [2] Washingtonul a comunicat Riadului că va oferi sprijin prin schimbul de informaţii şi identificarea ţintelor, au adăugat acestea. [2] Războiul SUA cu Iranul a intrat în a şaptea lună, fără ca un sfârşit să se întrevadă în viitorul apropiat. [2] Războiul a determinat creşterea preţurilor la petrol pe plan mondial şi la benzină în SUA, ducând popularitatea lui Trump la un minim istoric înaintea alegerilor intermediare din noiembrie. [2] Rebelii Houthi, susţinuţi de Iran, au înregistrat un avans spectaculos de-a lungul coastei yemenite a Mării Roşii în ultimele zile, ajungând vineri pe insula strategică Perim din strâmtoarea Bab el-Mandeb, au declarat pentru Reuters patru surse din cadrul guvernului yemenit. [2] Controlul exercitat de houthi asupra strâmtorii Bab el-Mandeb din Marea Roşie, situată pe partea opusă a Peninsulei Arabice faţă de strâmtoarea Ormuz, ar putea oferi Iranului un avantaj decisiv în războiul său cu SUA, reducând aprovizionarea printr-un al doilea coridor important de tranzit şi determinând o creştere bruscă a preţurilor petrolului. [2] Arabia Saudită, cel mai mare exportator de petrol din lume, s-a bazat pe ruta Mării Roşii de când conflictul cu Iranul a blocat efectiv Strâmtoarea Ormuz, prin care trecea o cincime din petrolul mondial. [2] Escaladarea conflictului dintre Houthi şi Riad datează de la începutul lunii iulie, când forţele Houthi s-au confruntat cu ceea ce au descris ca fiind avioane de luptă saudite care încercau să împiedice un avion civil iranian să aterizeze pe Aeroportul Internaţional Sanaa din Yemen. [2] Acest schimb de focuri a rupt armistiţiul de patru ani din conflictul dintre regat şi gruparea aliniată Iranului. [2] Arabia Saudită a comunicat Statelor Unite în iulie că poate lupta singură împotriva Houthi şi a subliniat faţă de Washington că războiul nu ar trebui să se intensifice, potrivit unei a patra persoane familiarizate cu situaţia. [2] Oficialii saudiţi i-au îndemnat pe omologii lor americani să intensifice presiunea economică asupra Iranului. [2] Un fost oficial american de rang înalt familiarizat cu evoluţiile actuale a declarat că demersul liderului saudit de joi către Trump a avut scopul de a afla dacă SUA ar putea intensifica presiunea militară asupra Houthi, în loc ca Riadul să fie nevoit să se confrunte singur cu gruparea. [2] "Până acum, li s-a spus «nu», dar rămâne de văzut ce se va întâmpla", a spus oficialul. [2] SUA şi Israelul au atacat Iranul pe 28 februarie, iar Iranul a ripostat cu propriile atacuri asupra Israelului şi a statelor din Golf care găzduiesc baze americane. [2] Atacurile americane şi israeliene asupra Iranului, precum şi atacurile israeliene asupra Libanului au provocat moartea a mii de persoane şi strămutarea a milioane de oameni. [2]

Gulf States' Diplomatic Engagements with Iran

The Iran conflict is entering a new phase amid key meetings in India and Oman. [3] These meetings show how countries in the Gulf are looking to what may come next, even as Saudi Arabia faces pressure from Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Yemen. [3] Oman is also hoping to host Gulf states and Iran at a meeting on Monday. [3] Bahrain is not expected to attend, Gulf News reported on September 12. [3] Let’s begin with a look at the BRICS meeting in India. [3] BRICS brings together numerous countries that are part of a non-Western economic bloc. [3] These include Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. [3] This meeting is important because Iran and the UAE are present. [3] The UAE’s Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India. [3] The meeting is important and comes amid several reports about moves at BRICS to discuss the Iran conflict. [3] For instance, reports at Al-Jazeera indicate that China’s leader Xi Jinping. [3] Gulf News meanwhile reported on the UAE meeting. [3] “During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as the importance of supporting efforts to promote calm, de-escalation and stability in the region and enhance prospects for peace and development for its peoples.” [3] India is seeking to take a leadership role in BRICS during its time holding the presidency of the bloc. [3] It is talking about “Building resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.” [3] The UAE is a relatively recent participant in BRICS. [3] It has been a member since 2024. [3] “Its membership is part of the country’s approach to multilateral cooperation, with BRICS providing a platform for dialogue on economic development, trade, investment and global governance among emerging economies,” Gulf News noted. [3] Meanwhile, a regional crisis is deepening. [3] “Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West Pipeline as a precaution after strikes hit the line in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, leaving several people injured,” Gulf News added, noting the concerns that the region now has regarding pressure on Riyadh. [3] Satellite image shows damage to the East-West pipeline facility in the Hejaz Region, Saudi Arabia, on September 11, 2026. [3] Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Gulf. [3] It has historically had a leadership role. [3] With the Houthis on the march and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq carrying out attacks, there are rising concerns about the next stage of the Iran conflict. [3] The White House appears to want the conflict to wind down. [3] It also has hinted that the US won’t be striking the Houthis. [3] Riyadh is holding off on attacks on Iraq. [3] Gulf states ready to talk to Iran Now there is also a meeting coming up in Oman. [3] The Gulf states are ready to talk to Iran. [3] Qatar has already been talking. [3] Oman has an amicable relationship with Tehran. [3] In fact, Oman has such a good relationship and has shown willingness to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, that the US even threatened Oman. [3] Gulf News, which reflects thinking in the Gulf, noted on September 12 that “Iran has announced plans to meet Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, which it has kept blockaded amid the wider conflict. Saudi Civil Defense has also confirmed that an earlier security alert in Sharurah Governorate has been resolved. Follow these live updates as the situation develops.” [3] Meanwhile, a report said, “Kuwait Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received a call from his Bahraini counterpart Dr Abdullatif Al-Zayani on Saturday.” [3] It was not clear what this was about, but Bahrain said earlier it would not attend. [3] Reuters has said that there is “no signed Hormuz deal expected yet from Oman meeting on Monday, Iranian official says.” [3] That report adds that “a meeting between Iran and Gulf states planned for Monday in Oman will be a chance to discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz, but is not expected to ‌yield a signed agreement over the blockaded waterway, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying by Reuters on Saturday.” [3] A trend between BRICS, Oman meeting? It is possible to identify a trend between the BRICS meeting and the possible Oman meeting. [3] BRICS said that "we express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation," the statement issued in the Indian capital New Delhi noted. [3] China also delivered a message at BRICS. [3] “Xi stressed that the world is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century, the Global South is rapidly growing in strength, and the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable,” China’s Xinhua noted. [3] “He said that BRICS countries should firmly stand on the right side of history, strive to be a pioneer of the times, steer the international order toward greater justice and equity, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.” [3] Turkey’s Anadolu noted that “foreign ministers from Arab states will meet in the Omani capital Muscat on Monday to sign an agreement establishing a joint Iran-Oman shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said.” [3] Ankara appears pleased with this and would like to see de-escalation and also see its partners increase their influence. [3] “This week, on Monday, the foreign ministers of the Arab countries will meet in Muscat to sign an agreement establishing a joint route between Oman and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and to notify the International Maritime Organization of the agreement,” Iran’s President Pezeshkian said in India. [3] “The countries whose territories were used to launch attacks against us by the US will also attend this meeting,” he said. [3]

Regional Condemnations and Military Drills

Türkiye condemns drone attacks from Iraq targeting Saudi Arabia. [4] Ankara reiterates support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, welcomes Iraqi investigation into attacks. [4] The military is holding live-fire drills featuring missiles, rockets and drones, involving all service branches and the coast guard at Jioupeng Base (九鵬基地) in Pingtung County this week, a source said. [5] The exercise is expected to involve Patriot, Tian Kung (Sky Bow, 天弓), Hsiung Feng (Brave Wind, 雄風) and Land Sword II (陸射劍二) missiles to practice long-range precision strike capabilities, they said. [5] Coast guard vessels would fire anti-ship missiles to drill the joint combat capabilities of the armed forces and the coast guard in wartime. [5] With the exercise hosted annually on an rotating basis by the navy and air force, this year’s exercise is hosted by the navy, and a live-fire warning notice for sea and air targets was issued for the exercise area, which covers a large area off the east coast, the source said. [5] The navy’s announcement said three areas are designated for this exercise. [5] Zone 1 stretches from the sea east of Taimali (太麻里) in Taitung County, to Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻) in Pingtung County. [5] Zone 2 extends from the boundary between Taitung and Pingtung to the sea east of Green Island (綠島) and Orchid Island (蘭嶼). [5] Zone 3 is in the sea east of Taitung County’s Chenggong Township (成功) and Taimali. [5] The restricted sea and air zones are the same as those used in drills for the past three years. [5] Although the announcement only mentioned sea and air targets, without going into the specifics, the source said fighter jets, helicopters and drones would enter the area. [5] A military source said the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rocket artillery, with its 300km range, and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile, a major air defense system for western countries, are unlikely to be used for this exercise. [5] The military is expected to incorporate HIMARS batteries into future drills, they said. [5] The Patriot missile would not be featured in this live-fire exercise unless approved by the US, for two reasons, they said. [5] The first is to deny unfriendly observers a chance to see it in flight, as firing missiles could allow potential adversaries to gather performance data with reconnaissance or intelligence-gathering aircraft or vessels. [5] The second is cost, as each missile fired costs more than NT$100 million (US$3.16 million), the source said. [5]

What to watch next: BRICS said that "we express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation," the statement issued in the Indian capital New Delhi noted, while a meeting between Iran and Gulf states planned for Monday in Oman will be a chance to discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz, but is not expected to yield a signed agreement over the blockaded waterway.