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Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, the joint U.S.-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, in what marks Iran's first operational use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles and a significant attempt to strike far beyond the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal and multiple U.S. officials reported Friday.
Neither missile struck the base.
One of the two missiles failed in flight, according to U.S. officials.
A U.S. warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other, though it could not be determined whether the interception succeeded, the Wall Street Journal reported.
No statement was issued by Iranian or American authorities regarding the reported attack.
Diego Garcia lies approximately 4,000 kilometers from Iran, making the strike attempt significant for what it reveals about Tehran's actual capabilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last month that Iran has deliberately limited the range of its missiles to 2,000 kilometers, half the distance to Diego Garcia.
Iran Watch, part of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, says Iran has operational missiles capable of reaching 4,000 kilometers.
Israel's Alma Research and Education Center put the top range for Iranian missiles at around 3,000 kilometers, but noted reports of weapons being developed with longer ranges.
Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago in the central British Indian Ocean Territory.
The U.S. and UK built a major base on the island in 1971, and it has since served as a key staging post for long-range bomber operations, nuclear submarines, and guided-missile destroyers.
The base has been used to launch two invasions of Iraq and to fly bomber missions across Asia.
Under a treaty, the U.K. is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease on the military base for $136 million per year. U.S. President Donald Trump has objected to the proposal, accusing the UK of "stupidity" over the plan.
Since the U.S. and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran has retaliated with strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets.
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