Iran launches failed missile attack on US-UK Diego Garcia base

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — The UK government has confirmed that an Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting the joint US-UK military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean ended in failure.

The unprecedented strike attempt, involving projectiles fired from approximately 4,000 kilometers away, underscores Tehran's previously underestimated long-range missile capabilities and marks a significant geographic expansion of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Missiles fired from 4,000 kilometers away

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) citing US officials, which was later confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) by a British government official, Iran fired two ballistic missiles at the remote island base. The British official declined to provide extensive details but verified that the attack was "unsuccessful."

The WSJ detailed that the missiles failed to hit the base, which is located thousands of kilometers from Iranian territory. One missile reportedly malfunctioned mid-air, while a US warship attempted to intercept the second using a defense missile. It remains unclear whether the second Iranian missile was destroyed in the air or simply missed its target. The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

UK opens more military bases to US forces

The Diego Garcia base, situated in the Chagos Archipelago, is one of the first two British installations that London permitted the US to use for military operations against Iran three weeks ago. In the wake of escalating regional tensions, the UK government announced on Friday that it is granting the US permission to utilize additional British military bases for the war effort.

These installations will be utilized to launch operations specifically targeting Iranian positions that have been orchestrating attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that his government authorized the US to use British bases strictly for "specific and limited defensive operations."

Rising threats to global energy trade

A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense condemned the strike attempt on Saturday, stating that Iran's actions require a firm response.

"Iran's reckless attacks spreading across the entire region and holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage pose a direct threat to the interests of the UK and its allies," the spokesperson stated.

The widening conflict has severely disrupted global energy supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments normally pass, has been effectively closed by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities. Furthermore, Iranian forces have carried out direct attacks on various oil facilities and commercial tankers across the Gulf region, drastically increasing tensions in international energy markets.

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