Iran's missiles could reach London and Paris – The Times
Photo: Iran could reach London and Paris with its missiles (Getty Images)
Iran is capable of reaching Western European capitals such as London, Paris, and Berlin with its missiles, according to The Times.
According to the outlet’s diplomatic and intelligence sources, the two missiles launched by Iran at the UK military base on Diego Garcia served as a warning signal to Europe. This is considered the longest-range missile launch by Iran to date.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that a missile traveled about 4,000 km. “We have been saying it: the Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat … with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin,” Israeli military officials said.
At the same time, it is not known for certain whether the missiles reached Diego Garcia. One missile was intercepted by a US ship, while the second fell after traveling about 3,200 km, roughly 640 km short of the US-UK outpost in the Chagos Islands.
On March 20, the United Kingdom allowed the United States to use its bases for strikes on Iranian facilities threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer “put British interests in the region at risk.”
Meanwhile, experts from the Institute for National Security Studies noted that the launches demonstrate Iran’s unprecedented ballistic capabilities.
“Today, it’s the missiles; tomorrow it could be nuclear. I think what is really worrying is that the Iranian leadership has no checks and balances right now,” they told The Times.
Photo: Infographic from The Times
According to one diplomat, Iran’s goal was not to strike Diego Garcia, but to warn the United Kingdom and European allies supporting the United States and Israel in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
The source added that the missile used may not have been previously known in Iran’s arsenal.
“If the missile was launched from northern Iran, their range [could] cover all of Europe,” the diplomat warned.
What preceded this
On the night of March 21, Iran launched two ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
The base is located about 4,000 km from Iran, twice the previously stated range of 2,000 km mentioned last month by Abbas Araghchi.
One missile failed to reach its target, while the other was intercepted by a US warship.
