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Iran Targets US-UK Military Base on Diego Garcia with Ballistic Missiles; UK Condemns 'Reckless Attack'
Iran's Attempted Attack on Diego Garcia
Iran attempted to strike the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, launching two intercontinental ballistic missiles. One missile was intercepted by a US warship, while the other failed mid-flight. The United Kingdom condemned the attempted strike as "reckless," noting that the missiles traveled much farther than previously considered to be the maximum range of Tehran's weapons capabilities. This incident marks the longest-range Iranian missile launch recorded to date, with Diego Garcia located approximately 3,800 kilometers from Iran, placing Central Europe within potential range of Iranian attacks.
Iran's Missile Capabilities and Nuclear Strikes
Farzan Sabet, a managing researcher at the Geneva Graduate Institute, indicated that despite efforts by the US and Israel to degrade Iran's capabilities, Tehran still possesses a substantial arsenal of missiles and drones. He estimated that Iran has between 2,000 and 8,000 short-range ballistic missiles, with some medium-range missiles adaptable to intermediate ranges. The report also mentioned that Iran's largest nuclear facility, Natanz, was hit in an airstrike without reported radiation leakage, though Israel denied responsibility. Sabet suggested that targeting sites like Natanz aims to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities and temporarily reduce its ability to enrich uranium.
Iran's Escalation and International Response
Hans-Jakob Schindler, an Iran expert and senior director of the Counter Extremism Project in Berlin, stated that the attack on Diego Garcia indicates Iran's missile program is not solely for regional defense. He highlighted that the regime's actions, including recent attacks on synagogues in Belgium and the Netherlands, demonstrate a level of desperation. Schindler argued that the most effective response to Iran's escalation would be financial measures, such as preventing Iran from exporting oil and cutting off money flow through Dubai. He believes that without financial resources, the regime's military operations would be severely hampered.
*Source: YouTube: DW News (2026-03-21)*
