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Britain condemned what it described as “Iran’s reckless attacks” after missiles were fired toward the joint U.K.-U.S. air base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
A U.S. official said Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the base on Friday morning local time, but neither struck the facility.
UK officials said the attempted strike was unsuccessful and did not provide further details, adding it was unclear how close the missiles came to the base, located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency confirmed the missiles targeted what it called “the military base of the oppressors in Diego Garcia,” describing the move as a step in threatening U.S. and allied interests beyond West Asia.
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Iran was “unsuccessful” in targeting the joint U.K.-U.S. military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed to AFP on Saturday.
The source said the “unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia” took place before the UK government announced Friday that it would allow the United States to use some of its bases to target Iranian sites used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK Ministry of Defense said Iran’s actions pose a broader threat to British interests and allies.
“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 ministry said.
The base on Diego Garcia, located around 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles) from Iran, can host long-range U.S. bombers and plays a key role in military operations.
Britain has not directly participated in U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran but has allowed U.S. bombers to use UK bases to target Iranian missile sites.
On Friday, the U.K. government said U.S. forces could use British bases, including Diego Garcia, for specific defensive operations aimed at degrading missile capabilities used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran targeted the base before that announcement.
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