Overview
- U.S. officials said Iran fired two intermediate‑range ballistic missiles toward the remote Diego Garcia facility, with one failing mid‑flight and a U.S. warship launching an SM‑3 at the other, though a successful intercept has not been confirmed.
- Britain condemned the attack and said it has authorized the United States to use U.K. bases, including Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, for specific and limited defensive operations tied to protecting shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that allowing U.S. use of British bases is putting British lives in danger and said Tehran would exercise its right to self‑defense.
- The roughly 3,800–4,000 km distance to Diego Garcia suggests greater Iranian missile reach than previously claimed; experts are assessing possibilities such as modified systems or a space‑launch vehicle, which remains unverified.
- Diego Garcia’s strategic role as a long‑range operations hub was underscored as U.K. force‑protection levels stayed high and analysts cautioned the episode could broaden the conflict’s geography and pressure allied posture.