Iran launched two medium-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, a joint US-British military base, in a move that suggests an attempt to expand the conflict beyond the Middle East and directly target US interests.
According to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials, neither missile hit the base. One failed during flight, and a US warship launched an SM-3 interceptor at the other. At this stage, it is unclear whether the interception was successful.
The attempt to strike Diego Garcia, about 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) from Iran, may indicate that Tehran's missile capabilities are more advanced than previously stated. Only recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had deliberately limited the range of its missiles to 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles).
However, according to Iran Watch, Iran possesses operational missiles capable of reaching about 4,000 kilometers. Israel's Alma Research and Education Center has also assessed that Iran's missiles can reach about 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles), though it noted reports of the development of systems with even longer ranges.
The base on Diego Garcia is considered one of the most strategically important US positions outside the Middle East. The island, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, has served as a forward base for US military operations for decades.
From the island, the US can deploy bombers, nuclear submarines and guided missile destroyers, giving it convenient reach for operations involving Iran even from a great distance. Over the years, major strikes have been launched from there, and it is seen as a critical asset in any scenario involving a broad confrontation with Tehran.
The island has also been at the center of a diplomatic dispute between the US and Britain in recent months, after President Donald Trump criticized moves concerning its status, given its strategic importance in any possible conflict with Iran.
The incident came hours after reports that Britain had agreed to allow the US to use its bases, including Diego Garcia, to remove threats to the Strait of Hormuz.
