The US Defense Secretary warned the UK of potential Iranian rocket attacks on London, following a recent failed Iranian attack on a joint US-UK base.
Iranian Missile Capabilities and Threat to UK
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned the UK about a potential Iranian rocket attack on London during a cabinet meeting at the White House. This warning followed an unsuccessful Iranian attack on the joint British-American base on Diego Garcia on March 20th.
The Independent reports that while the missiles did not hit their target, the incident heightened concerns about a potential threat to the UK from Iran.
UK and US Divergent Assessments
Previously, British Defence Minister John Healey declined to comment on whether Tehran has the capability to attack the UK, but expressed doubt that such an attack would occur.
The US Defense Secretary disagrees, stating that Iran launched two missiles that missed a target 4,000 km away, despite previously claiming a range of only 2,000 km. Hegseth accused Iran of repeated dishonesty.
Geopolitical Comparisons and Warnings
Hegseth drew a comparison between London’s distance from Iran (4,000 km) and Washington’s distance from Venezuela (3,300 km), a country with past ties to Iran, criticizing previous US policy.
He questioned whether Iran poses no threat to the world or the US, contrasting this with the approach of former President Trump.
Israeli Intelligence Assessment
Israeli military intelligence shares the assessment that Iranian missiles could have a range of approximately 4,000 km, putting numerous countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa at risk.
Escalating Tensions in the Middle East
The Independent reports that neither side appears willing to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East, with the US continuing to strengthen its military presence in the region.
Iran maintains strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil and gas transport route.
Potential US Military Intervention
Reports suggest the US is increasingly considering a military land intervention in the region to secure oil transport, with discussions about deploying troops to the strategic island of Chark off the coast of Iran.
US Plan and Iranian Response
President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed the US presented Iran with a 15-point plan for resolving the conflict, delivered through Pakistan. The plan was not well-received by Tehran.
Iranian authorities stated they would present their own vision for peace, including war reparations and stipulations regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent Iranian Missile Test and US Response
Iran recently launched two medium-range ballistic missiles towards Diego Garcia on the Chagos Islands, but neither hit its target. One was reportedly intercepted by a US warship, and the other crashed.
Attack on Diego Garcia and UK Condemnation
Diego Garcia hosts a US airbase capable of accommodating long-range American bombers and houses approximately 2,500 US soldiers. The UK Ministry of Defence condemned the attack as “irresponsible.”
Iran targeted a joint US and UK base on the Indian Ocean, warning that British lives are “endangered” after Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported further US attacks. The UK also authorized the US to use its bases for “defensive operations” against Iranian launch sites.