Argentine President Javier Milei has ruled out the use of military force to reclaim the Falkland Islands from Britain, insisting his government will pursue its sovereignty claim through diplomatic channels.

Milei reaffirmed Argentina’s claim to the South Atlantic archipelago in an interview with The Telegraph, declaring that the islands belonged to his country on legal, historical and geographical grounds, according to The Independent.

“We do not believe in military solutions,” he said, repeating the statement three times before adding that Argentina would seek to recover the islands through diplomacy.

His remarks follow recent comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting that Washington could review its position on British sovereignty over the territory. Trump had also questioned Britain’s willingness to defend the islands amid disagreements over the UK’s position on the Iran war.

Argentina has maintained its claim to the Falklands for decades and invaded the islands in 1982, triggering a war that ended with Britain regaining control. The conflict lasted just over 70 days and resulted in the deaths of 255 British military personnel, 655 Argentinians and three Falkland Islanders.

Although the United States maintains a formally neutral position on the islands’ sovereignty, Washington supported Britain’s military campaign during the 1982 conflict.

Last month, Milei described the Falklands as being under “illegal foreign occupation” by Britain during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He rejected the islanders’ right to self-determination in the sovereignty dispute and warned that Argentina could take matters into its own hands.

His administration has also introduced sanctions targeting individuals and companies involved in oil exploration around the islands and announced plans to pursue a criminal complaint against Navitas Petroleum over its operations in the area.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to retaining sovereignty over the Falklands, citing the islanders’ stated desire to remain British. He has also ordered an investigation into reports of alleged harassment of Falkland Islanders linked to intimidation from Argentina.