Iran has launched a long-range ballistic missile strike for the first time during the ongoing conflict, targeting a joint United States–United Kingdom military base in the Indian Ocean.
According to Reuters, the base, located in Diego Garcia, lies about 4,000 kilometers from Tehran. The strike marks the first instance in the three-week conflict that Iran has carried out a missile attack at such a distance.
Extended Range Highlights Growing Military Capability
Previously, most Iranian missiles had a range between 300 and 2,000 kilometers, primarily targeting locations within the Middle East, including Israel and U.S. military bases in Gulf countries.
The latest missile, capable of reaching approximately 4,000 kilometers, indicates that Iran’s strike range has expanded significantly beyond its earlier limits. Reuters reported that this capability could extend beyond the immediate region.
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the strike was aimed at the U.S.-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. No official details have been released regarding damage caused by the attack.
Missile Attacks Reported in Southern Israel
On the same day, Iran also launched missile attacks on southern Israeli cities, including Dimona and Arad. Dozens of people were reported injured. Dimona is located near a sensitive nuclear facility. Reuters reported that some missiles were not intercepted by air defense systems, resulting in limited damage.
Conflict Shows No Immediate Sign of Ending
The long-range strike has raised concerns that the conflict could widen further. It also indicates that the situation is unlikely to de-escalate in the immediate term.
The United States has stated that there are limited remaining targets in Iran and indicated that discussions are underway regarding a possible reduction in further attacks. President Donald Trump said that a review of the next course of action is being considered.
