Argentina asked for urgent measures to stop drilling as the hearing opened on 10 November. UK attorney general Ellie Reeves said the tribunal was not the appropriate forum to decide sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
Argentina sought a suspension of the Sea Lion oil project as a two-day hearing opened at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg on 10 November 2026. It asked for urgent provisional measures, including a UK commitment to stop drilling.
The Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, are a British overseas territory whose sovereignty Argentina disputes. The hearing follows UK approval for drilling to begin in March 2027, the tribunal was told.
Javier Oyarzábal, chief legal adviser to Argentina’s Foreign Ministry, said a halt would preserve the present situation and allow sovereignty talks. He said the resources belong to the Argentine people and that islanders do not have the right to decide which state the islands belong to.
President Javier Milei’s government argues that British approval breached a 1976 United Nations resolution calling on both parties to refrain from unilateral action until the sovereignty dispute is settled. Argentina also argued that the project risks an environmental disaster and could make a peaceful settlement harder. Oyarzábal said Argentina would bear the consequences of a blowout or spill.
Reeves said Argentina was trying to litigate sovereignty through the tribunal and that it was not the appropriate forum to decide that issue. Asked whether the UK would comply with a ruling, she reiterated the jurisdictional objection and said the UK respected the court, but declined to anticipate what it might say.
Sea Lion is in the North Falkland basin and is led by Israeli firm Navitas with British partner Rockhopper. The Guardian
The November 10 meeting reviewed joint projects in energy, transport, trade, infrastructure and business ties before concluding with a memorandum of understanding.
Argentina’s military government invaded and occupied the islands in 1982; the ensuing war ended with the islands back under British control. In a March 2013 referendum, 99.8% voted to retain their status as a British overseas territory, on a turnout of 92%.
Since the war, Argentina has continued to seek renewed sovereignty negotiations. The UK has refused, saying the islanders have the right to self-determination.
The hearing continues, and the tribunal’s decision on Argentina’s request remains pending.
1 min
French authorities said suspects were released from custody after interviews so seized digital material could be analyzed, following searches at three properties on 13–14 October 2026.
2 min
The Oversight Committee concludes that prosecutorial failures, preferential treatment and institutional negligence allowed Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to sexually exploit young women and girls for years.
3 min
