Tehran fires intermediate-range missiles at the strategic US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant escalation in its confrontation with Western

Iran targeted the strategic US-UK military base on Diego Garcia with two intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Friday, according to several US officials. While neither missile reached the base, the attack marks Iran’s first operational use of this class of weapon and represents a significant attempt to strike targets far beyond the Middle East, directly threatening US interests.

One of the missiles failed in flight, while a US warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the second, two sources told reporters. However, one official noted that it remains unclear whether the interception was successful.

The missile launch follows a warning issued by Iran to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Friday, in which Tehran cautioned that allowing the United States to conduct strikes from UK air bases was endangering British lives. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, further stated that the prime minister risks dragging Britain into a war.

In response, the British government has stated that the UK will permit the United States to carry out defensive missions in the Strait of Hormuz from a Royal Air Force base.

Diego Garcia is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Iran. According to officials cited by reporter, it was not previously known that Iran possessed missiles with such range.

The attack also comes amid ongoing negotiations over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. Prime Minister Starmer has engaged in talks to transfer the islands’ sovereignty to Mauritius, though under the terms of the proposed agreement, Diego Garcia would remain a US-UK military base.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington is considering “reducing” its involvement in the conflict with Iran. Separately, the Pentagon is reportedly drafting plans to deploy ground troops to the region, as thousands of Marines are already en route to the Middle East.