Iran claims to have launched missiles that 'far exceeded the expectations of its adversaries'

Iran claims to have launched missiles that 'far exceeded the expectations of its adversaries'.

Iran confirmed it launched missiles targeting the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, calling it a significant step in its retaliatory campaign.

"Targeting the Diego Garcia base is a significant step taken by the Islamic Republic of Iran to threaten the interests of the United States and its allies beyond its West Asian borders, and demonstrates that the range of Iranian missiles has far exceeded what its adversaries could have imagined," Mehr news agency reported today.

Iranian media did not specify the type of missile used. This marks the first time Tehran has attempted to extend its strike range beyond the Middle East and threaten Washington's interests in the Indian Ocean.

US officials have not commented on the information. The British Ministry of Defence on the same day criticized "Iran's reckless attacks," saying they threaten the interests of Britain and its regional allies.

Iran's Khorramshahr missile lifts off the launch pad during a test in May 2023. Photo: AP

The attack came after Britain confirmed it would allow the US to use its bases for collective self-defense in the region, including destroying launchers and equipment that Iran used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Muhanad Seloom, a lecturer at the Doha Graduate Institute of Qatar, believes that Iran's move could force the US and its allies to change their calculations in the conflict.

Ocean, calling it a significant step in its retaliatory campaign.

Iran's Khorramshahr missile lifts off the launch pad during a test in May 2023. Photo: AP

Muhanad Seloom, a lecturer at the Doha Graduate Institute of Qatar, believes that Iran's move could force the US and its allies to change their calculations in the conflict.

"The attack on the Diego Garcia base means Iran now possesses ballistic missiles with a range of over 4,000 km, a type of weapon that had never been revealed before. All previous information indicated that Iran only had missiles with a range of no more than 2,000 km," he said.

This allows Iran to target not only US bases outside the Middle East, but also to reach London, the capital of the United Kingdom. "That would make Britain and the European Union even more hesitant to accept calls for military support from the US," Seloom stated.

The Wall Street Journal reported on March 20, citing unnamed US officials, that Iran launched two long-range ballistic missiles toward the Diego Garcia base, but neither hit its target. One missile malfunctioned mid-flight and fell into the sea, while the other was intercepted by a US warship using an SM-3 missile. It is unclear whether this interception attempt was successful or if the Iranian missile simply missed its target.

Iranian officials have set a 2,000 km range limit for their missiles, arguing that this is sufficient to reach Israel and ensure the country's defense capabilities. However, General Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command of the Iranian military, mentioned the possibility of increasing the missile range in October 2025.

Diego Garcia, a coral atoll covering 30 square kilometers, is considered a strategically important outpost for the US military. Fighter jets and warships stationed there have participated in the Gulf War as well as military operations in Afghanistan and Libya. Diego Garcia's location allows Washington to project forces throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean.

The island's role became even more important after the US closed the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and withdrew from the Central Asian country.

This is also one of the few locations capable of accommodating B-2 bombers. The island has four shell-shaped hangars with environmental control equipment known as the B-2 Shelter System (BS22), specifically designed for this stealth bomber.

Several research organizations have offered differing assessments of Iran's missile capabilities. The prevailing international consensus is that Iran's missile arsenal primarily consists of short-range ballistic missiles with a range of approximately 1,000 km and medium-range missiles with a range of up to 3,000 km.

Iran claims to have launched missiles that 'far exceeded the expectations of its adversaries'