The claim
“A Pentagon memo reported by Reuters argued the US could review its support for European claims to imperial possessions, including the Falkland Islands.”
Reuters reported an internal Pentagon email proposing ways to pressure NATO allies that did not back the Iran war.
Our verdict
True
Reuters reported an internal Pentagon email floating a review of US backing for European 'imperial possessions', naming the Falklands.
What we found
The email circulated among senior Defense Department officials as a way to retaliate against allies that refused to support US operations against Iran. The UK said its sovereignty was unchanged and Rubio called it a minor internal matter. Our first version said the claim wrongly dated the dispute to 1982; the claim is about the memo, which is accurately described. The dispute predates the 1982 war.
The evidence
2 of 2 sources support the claim; none contradict it.
How we checked
We checked the claim against Buenos Aires Herald, Radio X (PA). We reviewed 2 relevant sources.
Sources
- [1]Buenos Aires Herald · US weighs ending support for UK's claim to Malvinas, says Reuters
- [2]Radio X (PA) · Pentagon's Falklands email touches a nerve in Britain
Have evidence we missed?
If you know of a source that confirms or contradicts this claim, send us the link. We review every submission and update fact checks when new evidence changes the picture.
Measured Take updates fact checks when new evidence emerges. Corrections are noted on the page.
All fact checks