Argentina is moving to impose sanctions on 45 individuals and companies involved in oil exploration around the disputed Falkland Islands, including an Israeli company participating in a massive offshore oil project.

President Javier Milei announced the measures over the Sea Lion oil project, which involves Israel’s Navitas Petroleum and Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration. The field, located approximately 225 kilometers north of the islands, is estimated to contain roughly 1.7 billion barrels of oil.

Milei accused the companies of violating a United Nations resolution and described the planned drilling and production as an urgent threat. He said his government will send legislation to Congress seeking tougher penalties against companies operating in the area without Argentine authorization.

Navitas and Rockhopper maintain that they are operating under valid licenses and with the full backing of the British government.

The move has reignited the decades-old sovereignty dispute over the islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas. Britain has controlled the territory since 1833, and the two countries fought a war over the islands in 1982 that left more than 900 people dead.

The dispute comes amid indications that President Donald Trump may be reconsidering Washington’s traditionally neutral position on the sovereignty issue. Trump reportedly questioned whether Britain would currently be capable of fighting another war over the islands similar to the 1982 conflict.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband responded that Britain’s position remains firm, stressing the right of the islands’ residents to determine their own future.

Despite the involvement of an Israeli company, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said the sanctions would not damage Argentina’s diplomatic relationship with Israel. Israeli officials have previously said the government cannot intervene in the activities of a private company.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)