Get you up to speed: Iran launches missile strike on UK-US base Diego Garcia, warns of threats to British lives
Iran launched missiles towards the UK’s Diego Garcia base, with the US confirming one missile was intercepted by a warship and another failed in flight.
US President Donald Trump criticised the UK for delaying permission to strike Iranian missile sites, asserting the UK ‘should have acted a lot faster’.
Ministers have authorised US strikes on Iranian missile sites from UK bases, including Diego Garcia, following missile launches directed at the base.
What we know so far
Iran fired missiles towards the UK’s Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, US officials have said. Two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were launched, but neither struck their target, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Iranian news agency Mehr.
One missile was intercepted by a US warship, while the other malfunctioned in flight. The incident follows the UK government granting the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from bases including Diego Garcia.
Iran’s reaction was swift, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserting they would “exercise its right to self-defence.” He accused the UK of endangering British lives by allowing bases to be used for aggression against Iran.
The Prime Minister is expected to hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss strategies for assisting households affected by the economic implications of the conflict, further emphasising the UK’s precarious position in the evolving situation.
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Iran fires missiles at UK-US base Diego Garcia after warning ‘British lives are in danger’ | News UK
Iran fired missiles towards the UK’s Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, US officials have said.
Two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported.
One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, the newspaper said, citing multiple officials.
Ministers gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases including Diego Garcia on Friday afternoon.
Iran reacted angrily, with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi claiming it will ‘exercise its right to self-defence’.
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Posting on X, he said: ‘Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.
Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.
‘Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.’
Where is Diego Garcia military base?
Diego Garcia is around 2,360 miles away from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers.
The UK has agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base.
Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US, and has been used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East for years.
It has a large airfield, major fuel storage facilities, radar installations and a deep-water port.
UK ‘should have acted a lot faster’
US President Donald Trump said the UK ‘should have acted a lot faster’ in giving the US permission.
He has already piled pressure on Nato allies, calling them ‘cowards’ for refusing to offer warships to reopen the Strait.
The Government had previously granted the US permission only for ‘defensive’ action.
When that decision was made, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was 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 granting further permission for the US to use British bases must first have a parliamentary vote.
The Prime Minister will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with the cost of living caused by the war, it is understood.