Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, but neither hit the target, according to US officials cited by news reports. The Wall Street Journal reported that one missile failed in flight, while a US warship launched an SM-3 interceptor at the other, though it could not be confirmed whether an interception occurred.
The launches marked a significant attempt by Iran to reach far beyond the Middle East and threaten US interests, the WSJ said. Diego Garcia, about 4,000km from Iran, is a crucial overseas staging post for US military operations and hosts a key airfield for heavy bombers. The attack implies Iran's missiles have a greater range than Tehran had previously acknowledged; foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said last month that Iran had deliberately limited its missile range to 2,000km.
The White House, the British embassy in Washington, and the UK Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The incident comes amid heightened tensions following US President Donald Trump's criticism of the UK government's deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which includes Diego Garcia. Trump called the agreement a 'very woke thing' and expressed disappointment in Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Separately, Iran's military warned the United Arab Emirates against allowing attacks from its territory on two disputed islands near the Strait of Hormuz. The islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE. The strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil normally passes, is effectively blocked, triggering soaring fuel prices.
