Iran launched unsuccessful attack on UK's Diego Garcia
6 hours ago
- #Iran
- #Diego Garcia
- #UK-US relations
- Iran launched an unsuccessful ballistic missile attack on the US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands.
- One missile failed in flight, and the other was intercepted by a US warship.
- The UK Ministry of Defence condemned Iran's actions as 'reckless attacks' threatening British interests.
- Doubts exist over Iran's missile capabilities, as Diego Garcia is about 2,350 miles from Iran.
- The UK recently expanded its 'collective self-defence' policy to allow strikes on Iranian sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- US President Donald Trump criticized the UK for not acting faster to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's Foreign Minister warned that UK participation in strikes endangers British lives.
- Political parties in the UK are divided over allowing US use of British bases.
- The Chagos Islands' sovereignty is set to be transferred to Mauritius, but the Diego Garcia base will remain under UK lease.
- Iran has also targeted other US facilities and Israel, including a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.