Iran has fired ballistic missiles towards the Chagos Islands, targeting the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, according to US officials. US officials said two missiles were launched, but neither hit the base. Reports suggest one missile failed mid-flight, while a US destroyer fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other.
The launch came just hours after Sir Keir Starmer gave the United States permission to use the Diego Garcia base. The approval allows US forces to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites considered a threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the decision on Friday.
He said: “Ignoring his own people, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.”
He added: “Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
Former US Centcom spokesman Colonel Joe Buccino described the move as “strategic”.
He said: “Iran wants to incur as much damage as possible, involve as many countries as possible, and inflict as much damage on the West, Israel and the Gulf states as possible.”
He added: “They want an American amphibious assault.”
The distance between southern Iran and Diego Garcia is around 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles).
Reports have described this as one of the longest-range launches linked to the current conflict.
Analysis suggests Iran’s missile arsenal mainly consists of short-range weapons, which can travel up to 1,000 kilometres, and medium-range missiles reaching up to 3,000 kilometres.
Long-range systems capable of travelling further are believed to still be in development.
Unverified reports on social media shortly before 9pm on Friday suggested radar systems in the Gulf detected the launch.
However, it remains unclear how far the missiles travelled before failing or being intercepted.
Donald Trump also criticised the UK’s response, saying Sir Keir “should have acted a lot faster” in allowing the base to be used.
He said: “It’s been a very late response from the UK. I’m surprised because the relationship is so good, but this has never happened before.”
Later, he said US forces were getting “very close” to achieving key objectives, including weakening Iran’s missile capabilities.
The UK Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.
