Argentina asks Law of the Sea tribunal to halt Malvinas oil project

Argentina has requested the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to temporarily halt British-approved oil activities in the disputed Malvinas Islands, deepening the sovereignty and resource dispute. President Javier Milei's office announced the request to prevent the UK from exploiting hydrocarbon resources in the North Falkland Basin without Argentina's consent.

The move aims to safeguard Argentina's sovereign rights over its continental shelf and prevent unilateral British actions from escalating the recognized UN dispute. The petition, filed on September 28, also seeks provisional measures to preserve the rights of the disputing parties or prevent serious harm to the marine environment, if urgency demands.

While the ITLOS is not ruling on the underlying sovereignty dispute, it can order temporary measures to protect rights or prevent environmental damage if the situation is deemed urgent and legal requirements are met. Argentina claims sovereignty over the islands, along with South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and surrounding maritime areas, which have been under British control since 1833.

Britain rejects Argentina's claim and supports the islanders' right to self-determination and natural resource development. The Milei administration's request comes amid heightened tensions over Argentina's decision to pursue arbitration. Britain views the move as an attempt to undermine its rights, prompting Buenos Aires to argue both nations are parties to UNCLOS and accept its dispute resolution procedures.

The Sea Lion oilfield, north of the islands, is being developed by Israeli company Navitas Petroleum and its British partner Rockhopper Exploration, authorized by the UK. Argentina has given the UK a two-week deadline to halt the project before pursuing international legal action.