Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, but neither struck the target, according to US officials cited by news reports. The Wall Street Journal reported that one missile failed in flight and a US warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other, though it could not be determined if an interception was made.
The launches represent a significant escalation by Iran, demonstrating a capability to reach far beyond the Middle East. Diego Garcia, about 4,000km from Iran, is a crucial US military staging post and hosts a key airfield for heavy bombers. The range implies Iran's missiles exceed the 2,000km limit previously acknowledged by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The White House, British embassy in Washington, and UK Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The attack comes amid heightened tensions following US President Donald Trump's criticism of the UK's Chagos Islands deal, which he described as a 'very woke thing'.
Separately, Iran's military warned the UAE against allowing attacks from its territory on disputed islands near the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil normally passes, is effectively blocked, contributing to soaring fuel prices. Trump expressed surprise that Australia, Japan, and South Korea have not sent warships to help reopen the waterway.
