Iran fires ballistic missiles at US-UK base in Indian Ocean
Photo: Iran attempted a ballistic strike on the Diego Garcia base (Getty Images)
Iran launched two ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.
What happened
On the night of March 21, Iran fired two medium-range ballistic missiles toward the base. According to The Wall Street Journal, they did not reach it.
The Mehr agency called the attack a “significant step ... that shows that the range of Iran's missiles is beyond what the enemy previously imagined.”
The Diego Garcia base is located about 4,000 kilometers from Iran, twice the 2,000-kilometer limit previously cited by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi last month.
One missile fell short of the target, while the other was intercepted by a US naval vessel.
Diego Garcia is considered one of the most strategic US military facilities outside the Middle East. From the island, the US can deploy bombers, nuclear submarines, and destroyers.
Photo: Location of the Diego Garcia base in the Pacific Ocean (Google Maps screenshot)
Strikes on Israel
On Saturday morning, Iran also shelled central Israel. One of the ballistic missiles carried a cluster warhead and struck several sites in the city of Rishon LeZion, including a kindergarten.
Rescuers found an impact crater. No casualties have been reported so far.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces announced strikes on targets in Tehran.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted at least 20 Iranian drones in the eastern part of the country.
It should be recalled that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United States had requested permission to use British military bases for strikes on Iran.
London, given Tehran’s actions, agreed.
Meanwhile, amid the escalating situation in the region, the United States is urgently deploying thousands of troops to the Middle East, with some forces being sent ahead of the previously planned timeline.
