Iran fired missiles toward a joint US-UK base on the island of Diego Garcia following warnings that British lives were “in danger” after the US received permission to launch further strikes from British bases.
Iran Launches Missiles at Diego Garcia
Tehran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the Chagos Islands, but neither hit, according to Iranian news agency Mehr. One missile was reportedly shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, citing multiple officials according to the Wall Street Journal.
Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, is approximately 3,800km (2,360 miles) from Iran and hosts an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers. The island is currently at the center of a political dispute regarding sovereignty, with the UK agreeing to cede control to Mauritius while leasing back the base.
UK ministers granted the US permission on Friday to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from bases including Diego Garcia. Previously, UK bases were used only for strikes against Iranian sites targeting British allies and interests in Gulf states.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed Iran would “exercise its right to self-defence,” stating on X that a “vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.” He accused Keir Starmer of endangering British lives by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.
US President Donald Trump stated the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in granting the US permission. He has also pressured NATO allies, calling them “cowards” for refusing to provide warships to reopen the strait.
The UK government had previously authorized the US for only “defensive” action. RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was previously hit by an Iranian drone when that decision was made. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the recent move as the “mother of all U-turns” in a post on X.
The Liberal Democrats and the Green party have called for a parliamentary vote before granting further permission for the US to use British bases.
Keir Starmer is scheduled to hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to address the cost of living impacts caused by the war.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated that Iran’s attacks are “a threat to British interests and British allies.” They affirmed that RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend people and personnel in the region, and that the government has given permission to the US for “specific and limited defensive operations.”
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.