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A senior Iranian military source has reportedly told a British media outlet that Iran will strike the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean if the United States launches any attack on Iranian territory.
Some shit you should know before you read: Earlier in the week, we published a breakdown on the recent buildup of US military assets at Diego Garcia, a strategic base in the Indian Ocean. Satellite imagery confirmed the arrival of at least five B-2 Spirit stealth bombers—along with shitloads of C-17 cargo planes and aerial refueling tankers. The B-2’s unusual deployment has led many to believe this could be a sign of bad shit to come for Iran. On the other hand, some say the deployment could be aimed at the Houthis in Yemen or meant as a warning to Iran to come to the table on their nuclear program—something they haven’t shown much willingness to do. Historically, Diego Garcia has played a pivotal role in US military operations across the Middle East, serving as a launch platform for major air campaigns during the Gulf War, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, and the 2003 Iraq War.
What’s going on now: According to The Telegraph, a senior Iranian military official warned that Iran’s military would target the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia in the event of any US military action against Iran. The official stated, “There will be no distinction in targeting British or American forces if Iran is attacked from any base in the region or within the range of Iranian missiles,” adding, “When the time comes, it won’t matter whether you’re an American, British, or Turkish soldier – you will be targeted if your base is used by Americans.”
Iranian state media later amplified the threat, naming Diego Garcia specifically as a target for both ballistic missiles and long-range suicide drones such as the upgraded Shahed-136B and Khorramshahr missiles—both reportedly capable of reaching the island’s location nearly 2,300 miles from Iranian territory.
The UK has pushed back on Iran’s threats, with a government spokesman telling The Telegraph, “We condemn these threats in the strongest terms. The UK Government continues to work with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation. The base on Diego Garcia is vital to UK and US security and plays a crucial role in maintaining regional and international security.”
More on the base: Diego Garcia, a remote outpost in the Chagos Archipelago of the Indian Ocean, is home to roughly 4,000 US and British personnel, including airmen, contractors, and a British security detachment. While Iran’s older ballistic missiles fall short of the range needed to strike the base, the regime claims newer systems can bridge the distance, raising concerns about the base’s vulnerability.
