Iran launches two missiles at Diego Garcia, exposing greater range

Iran has launched two missiles at the United Kingdom's base in Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean over 2,000 miles away. While both missiles missed their target, the launch demonstrated a greater missile range than Iran had previously claimed. Just last month, Iran's Foreign Minister stated their missiles were limited to a range of 2,000 kilometers (about 1,200 miles). This new capability places nearly all of Europe within Iran's missile range, potentially altering NATO countries' strategic calculations. The missile launches followed the U.K.'s decision to allow the U.S. to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iran, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had previously warned it could strike U.K. bases in retaliation. These events are expected to increase pressure on European nations to contribute forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for energy imports, especially liquefied natural gas from Qatar. Europe's reliance on Qatari LNG increased after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but Iranian attacks have significantly impacted Qatar's production and export capabilities. The U.S. has been seeking broader international contributions to reopen the Strait, with several European and Asian nations recently voicing their readiness to participate in securing safe passage.