Iran has launched a long-range ballistic missile toward the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, marking a significant escalation that could extend the threat beyond the Middle East and into Europe. Israeli military officials say the missile has a range of up to 4,000 km, potentially placing major European capitals within reach.
The launch, described by Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir as a two-stage ballistic missile, signals a shift in Iran’s military posture. According to Israeli assessments, such capabilities mean cities like Berlin, Paris and London could fall within direct range if the program advances further.
The development follows earlier warnings from Israeli defense officials that Tehran was working on expanding its missile range beyond regional targets. Iran has previously denied pursuing such capabilities, but recent events appear to contradict those claims.
Zamir said the ongoing Israeli military campaign against Iran is “around halfway complete,” suggesting further escalation is likely. He added that recent strikes have significantly degraded Iran’s operational capabilities, though the broader confrontation remains active.
At the same time, Israel has approved new operational plans against Hezbollah in Lebanon, indicating the risk of the conflict widening across multiple fronts. Israeli forces, he said, will continue acting as a buffer zone and respond to any perceived threat.
The missile launch also underscores growing coordination between Israel and the United States. Zamir highlighted daily strategic contact with US military counterparts, calling the cooperation “unprecedented” during the current campaign.
The introduction of long-range missile capability shifts the strategic balance, raising concerns that the conflict could evolve from a regional confrontation into a broader security threat affecting Europe, Asia and beyond.