Iran has test‑fired two ballistic missiles toward the joint US‑UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing US officials. Although neither missile struck the target located roughly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from Iranian territory the launch has raised fresh concerns about the range and sophistication of Tehran’s missile capabilities.
US officials told the paper that one missile failed mid‑flight, while the other was engaged by an interceptor launched from a US warship. It remains unclear whether the interceptor successfully hit the missile. The Pentagon has not yet commented publicly on the incident.
Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, is one of two bases Britain has authorised the United States to use for “defensive” operations related to Iran. The base has long served as a strategic hub for US military activity across Asia, including past bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The incident comes at a sensitive moment, as Britain prepares to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after decades of control dating back to the 1960s. The UK maintains a lease for the base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain.
The reported missile launches underscore growing tensions in the region and suggest Iran may possess longer‑range strike capabilities than previously assessed.
+ There are no comments
Add yours