Iran Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles at Diego Garcia in First Long-Range Strike

Iran has launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, marking a significant escalation and the first operational use of such weaponry to target US and British interests outside the Middle East.

According to US officials, the joint military base, situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean, was targeted by missiles fired from approximately 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) away.

While neither missile struck the base, the incident reveals a previously unknown Iranian capability to strike at such extreme distances.

Failed Interceptions and Technical Reach

One of the ballistic missiles reportedly failed during flight. A US warship deployed an SM-3 interceptor against the second projectile, though officials have yet to confirm if the interception was successful.

The strike follows a direct warning from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who claimed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was risking British lives and dragging the UK into war by permitting the US to launch missions from British airbases.

Regional Tensions and Political Fallout

The British government recently confirmed it would allow the US to conduct defensive missions toward the Strait of Hormuz from Royal Air Force bases.

This comes amid a complex geopolitical backdrop for the Chagos Islands:

• Sovereignty: Sir Keir Starmer is currently in talks to transfer sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius.
• Base Status: Under the proposed terms, Diego Garcia would remain a joint US-UK military facility.

Escalating Military Footprint

The attack coincides with conflicting signals from Washington. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the US is considering “reducing” its involvement in the war with Iran.

However, the Pentagon is reportedly drafting plans for ground troop deployments, with thousands of Marines already en route to the region.

The use of these missiles has caught Western intelligence off guard, as officials told the Wall Street Journal it was not previously known that Tehran possessed the technology to reach the strategic Indian Ocean outpost.

Source: Defi Media