Poor relations were reinforced by direct confrontations such as the murder of Yvonne Fletcher, the 1986 United States bombing of Libya and the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103.
Hubungan itu diperparah dengan konfrontasi langsung, seperti pembunuhan Yvonne Fletcher, pemboman Libya tahun 1986 oleh Amerika Serikat, dan penghancuran pesawat Pan Am 103.