Iran has denied responsibility for a reported missile attack targeting the Diego Garcia military base, even as Western media and officials confirm an attempted strike that failed to hit its target.
A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Tehran was not behind the reported missile attack on the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
The denial came after reports suggested two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired toward the base, though neither reached the target.
The Pentagon has not issued an official response, adding to uncertainty surrounding the incident.
According to reports by the Wall Street Journal and CNN, citing unnamed US officials, two ballistic missiles were launched toward Diego Garcia.
One missile reportedly failed mid-flight, while the second was intercepted by a US warship before impact. The BBC later confirmed the accuracy of these reports.
The missiles were believed to have been fired sometime between late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Strategic importance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia, located in the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean, is a key joint US-UK military base. The island has hosted military operations since the 1970s and is used for long-range bombers and strategic missions, particularly in the Middle East.
It is also one of the two bases the United Kingdom has authorized the United States to use in its campaign against Iran.
The reported strike drew attention because Diego Garcia lies approximately 4,000 kilometers from Iran. This distance exceeds the 2,000-kilometer range limit that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously claimed Tehran had imposed on its missile program.
There are now growing doubts about whether Iran possesses missiles capable of reaching such distances.
UK reiterates defensive role, avoids escalation
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that Britain would continue providing defensive support against what she called “reckless Iranian threats.”
However, she stressed that the UK would not be drawn into offensive military action or a wider Middle East conflict. “We will not be drawn into a wider conflict… we want to see as swift as possible resolution,” she said.
The missile incident came as tensions escalated over attacks on shipping routes and energy infrastructure linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
UK officials warned that Iran’s threats to international shipping and Gulf partners are contributing to instability in the region. Earlier, the UK agreed to allow the US to use British bases for strikes on Iranian sites targeting shipping lanes.
Iran warns UK of consequences
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that UK involvement in the conflict could put British lives at risk. He said Tehran would exercise its right to self-defense if provoked further.
Earlier this month, Iran also launched drones toward a military base in Cyprus, with one reportedly hitting a runway and causing minimal damage.
The situation has triggered political debate in Britain, with opposition parties demanding parliamentary approval for allowing US use of UK bases. The Liberal Democrats and Greens have called for a Commons vote, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the decision as a major policy reversal.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to hold a Cobra emergency meeting next week to address the war’s economic impact.
Energy crisis fears
The International Energy Agency has warned that disruptions to oil supply could impact global energy markets. UK officials say rising energy prices linked to the conflict are already affecting household costs.
The government has pledged support measures, including easing energy bills and assistance for heating oil costs.
The Diego Garcia base sits within the Chagos Islands, a British-controlled territory since 1814. In 1965, the islands were separated from Mauritius and designated as a British Overseas Territory, with compensation paid to Mauritius.
The UK has since agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia to maintain military operations.
