The United Kingdom confirms that Iran fired two missiles at the joint British-American Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean that failed to reach their targets.
“Our assessment is that the Iranians certainly targeted Diego Garcia. As we understand it, one missile fell short, failed. The other was intercepted and prevented,” UK Housing Secretary Steve Reed told BBC television.
Reed didn’t say how far short the missiles fell.
“There is no specific assessment that the Iranians are targeting the UK or even could if they wanted to,” Reed added.
According to the Israeli military, Iran targeted Diego Garcia with a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile.
This refers to missiles with at least two rocket engines, one allowing the missile to reach space, and the other propels it to its target, at a range of up to 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles).
The Wall Street Journal first reported the attack.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the attack marked Iran’s first operational use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
It was also Iran’s first attempt at reaching far beyond the Middle East and threatening U.S. interests.
“Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies,” the UK’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement sent to CNBC on Saturday.
”[Royal Air Force] jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.”
The Ministry of Defence also said the attack occurred a day before the UK approved the use of its bases by U.S. forces for defensive operations.
