Iran Attack UK: No Bomb Threat, US-Israel War Risk?

Iran launched two missiles toward the UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, with one failing to reach the island and the other intercepted by a U.S. warship, according to reports. A British cabinet minister stated that Iran is not believed to have the capability or intent to strike the UK with missiles.

Iran Missile Attack on Diego Garcia

One missile reportedly failed to reach the island, while another was shot down by a U.S. warship. This was the longest-range attack by Iran since the country was attacked by the U.S. and Israel.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, “There is no specific assessment that the Iranians are targeting the UK or [that they] even could if they wanted to.” He added that any warnings issued by Israel regarding potential targets in Europe should be directed to Israeli officials.

Reed emphasized that the UK would not be drawn into the conflict but would take collective defensive action to protect its nationals and interests. “I’m not aware of any assessment at all that they are even trying to target Europe,” he stated, adding the UK possesses the military capability to defend itself.

Regarding the attack on Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands archipelago, Reed said one missile was intercepted and the other “fell short,” declining to specify how close it came to the base.

The UK government declined U.S. requests to utilize UK airbases for initial strikes on Iran in late February, citing potential breaches of international law. However, British bases have since been used for strikes on Iranian sites targeting British allies and interests in Gulf states, with the scope recently expanded to include attacks on missile launchers targeting commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz.

Reed affirmed the UK’s commitment to de-escalation, stating that defending British people and assets in the region does not diminish the focus on achieving that goal. He also declined to comment on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to Iran regarding the strait of Hormuz.

“The US president is perfectly capable of speaking for himself and defending what it is that he saying. Our position in the UK is absolutely clear as well. We’re not going to be dragged into this war,” Reed told Sky News. He reiterated that questions regarding Trump’s comments should be directed to Trump himself.