Iran fires missiles at joint US-UK base in Indian Ocean: report

Iran recently fired two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported on March 20, citing US officials.

Neither missile hit the target, which is around 4,000 kilometers from Iranian territory, but the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought, the report said.

No official comment has been made so far by the US or UK side.

One of the missiles failed in flight, and the other was targeted by an interceptor fired from a US warship, though it was not clear if the missile was hit, The Journal reported.

Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands is one of two bases Britain is allowing the US to use for "defensive" operations in Iran.

Iran on Friday warned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that he was putting British lives at risk by allowing the US to carry out strikes from UK air bases.

American forces have stationed bombers and other equipment at the Diego Garcia base, a key hub for Asia operations, including the US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

(With input from agencies)