Iran’s expanding missile capabilities could now put London within striking distance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been cautioned.
The warning follows an attempted strike by Tehran on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands, located roughly 3,800 kilometres from Iran’s capital. Two missiles were reportedly launched towards the strategically significant location.
According to officials, one missile was intercepted by a US naval vessel, while the second failed before reaching its target.
Iranian Missile Range Sparks Security Concerns Across Europe
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the attempted attack demonstrates Iran’s growing ability to strike far beyond its borders, including major European cities.
“We have been saying it: the Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat,” they said. “Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.”
Diego Garcia is home to a joint UK-US military installation that has long served as a critical hub for American operations in the Middle East. The base features an extensive airfield, large fuel reserves, advanced radar systems and a deep-water port, supporting around 2,500 personnel, most of them American.
UK Government Response And Political Fallout Over Iran Strike
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the missile launch as “reckless”, while stressing that Britain had no role in US-led offensive actions against Tehran.
She said: “We want to see as swift as possible a resolution to this conflict. Our approach to this conflict has been the same throughout.
“We were not and continue not to be involved in offensive action, and we’ve taken a different view from the US and Israel on this.
“But we are supporting defensive action to support our interests. That includes recognising Iran’s escalating threats to international shipping, as well as their threats to our Gulf partners.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Trump Sparks Backlash After ‘I’m Glad He’s Dead’ Post On Robert Mueller
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the government’s handling of the situation, urging greater transparency from the prime minister.
She said: “Now we find out, from the media and not the prime minister, that the British base on Diego Garcia has been the target of Iranian missile attacks.
“As we saw with Peter Mandelson, Starmer’s first instinct is always to cover up the truth.
“On Wednesday he attacked me at PMQs for calling for the proper defence of our bases, now we learn that as he did so our base in the Chagos Islands was being targeted by Iran.
“The prime minister needs to immediately come clean about the details of this latest attack on British troops and explain why the public weren’t informed sooner.”
Why you can trust SurgeZirc UK. Learn more about our editorial standards.
