Iran reportedly fires missiles towards UK-US base on Diego Garcia | US-Israel war on Iran
Iran has reportedly fired a missile at a joint US-UK base on the island of Diego Garcia after Keir Starmer warned British lives were “in danger” after he backed the US in carrying out more attacks on British bases.
According to Iranian news agency Mehr, Tehran fired two medium-range ballistic missiles at the Chagos Islands, but neither hit.
According to the Wall Street Journal, citing multiple officials, one of the missiles was shot down by a US warship and the other failed in flight.
Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, is about 3,800 km (2,360 mi) from Iran and hosts an air base capable of hosting long-range US bombers.
The island has been at the center of a political row after Britain agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base.
Ministers on Friday afternoon gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases including Diego Garcia. Previously, UK bases were only used to strike Iranian sites targeting British allies and interests in the Gulf states.
Iran reacted angrily, claiming that its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, “will exercise his right to self-defense”. In his post on X, he said: “The vast majority of British people do not want to take part in the war of Israel-USA against Iran.
“Ignoring his own people, Mr Starmer is endangering British lives by allowing UK bases to be used offensively against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
US President Donald Trump said Britain “needs to move much faster” on granting permission to the US. He has already begun to put pressure on NATO allies, calling them “cowards” for refusing to offer warships to reopen the strait.
The British government had previously authorized only “defensive” action to the United States.
When this decision was taken, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus had been hit by an Iranian drone. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Sir Keir’s latest move as the “mother of all U-turns” in a post on X.
The Liberal Democrats and the Green party said allowing the US to use British bases further should first be put to a parliamentary vote.
It is understood Starmer will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with war-related living costs.
