Can Iran Fire Missiles At Base In Indian Ocean 2,400 Miles Away? Tehran’s Diego Garcia Attempt Explained
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Last Updated:March 21, 2026, 09:28 IST
Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, but neither struck the US-UK military base.
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An attempted Iranian missile strike on Diego Garcia, a US-UK joint military base in the Indian Ocean, has raised concerns over the possible expansion of Tehran’s missile range.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward the strategic Indian Ocean base, marking what appears to be its first known strike attempt beyond the Gulf. However, neither missile hit the target – one reportedly failed mid-flight, while a US warship fired an interceptor at the other.
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The attempted strike came hours after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised the United States to use key British-linked bases, including Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, to launch operations targeting Iranian-linked positions near the Strait of Hormuz.
Until now, Starmer had limited US access to these bases strictly to defensive actions, primarily to intercept threats that could endanger British lives or interests. However, in a significant policy shift, Downing Street confirmed on Friday that ministers approved an expansion of operational scope.
Strike Beyond Known Limits
The development has drawn attention to the distance involved, with Diego Garcia located roughly 3,800 to 4,000 kilometres from Iran – far beyond the publicly stated range of its missile arsenal. Iranian officials have previously maintained that their missiles are limited to around 2,000 kilometres.
“4,118 km from Iran to Diego Garcia. Far beyond any previously known Iranian ballistic missile range," a netizen said in a posy on X.
Steve Lookner of AgendaFreeTV also noted “Iran’s targeting of Diego Garcia, about 4,000 kilometers from Iran, implies its missiles have a greater range than Tehran has previously acknowledged."
Diego Garcia lies 3,795 kilometers (about 2,358 miles) from Iran, raising new questions about the true range of Tehran’s missile capabilities.
What Range Do Iranian Missiles Have?
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously stated that Iran had intentionally capped its missile range at 2,000 kilometers.
However, Iran Watch, part of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, said that Iran possesses operational missiles capable of reaching 4,000 kilometers. Meanwhile, Israel’s Alma Research and Education Center estimated a range of around 3,000 kilometers, with reports indicating ongoing development of longer-range systems.
As per the education centre, citing IDF, that by February 2026, this had grown to about 2,500 missiles after the conflict in between with Israel, which saw many of their missiles destroyed. According to their report, Tehran’s mid-range missiles can travel between 1,000 and 3,000 km.
The Khorramshahr has the longest range between 2,000–3,000 km. Next is Emad with a 1800 km range and Ghadr which can have a 1,600–2,000 km range.
Shahab‑3 has a 1300 km range and Rezvan has a 1400 km range as per the Alma report.
Why Iran Attacked Diego Garcia?
The targeted base on Diego Garcia holds major strategic importance. Located on a remote island in the British Indian Ocean Territory, it serves as a key hub for US and UK military operations, hosting bombers, nuclear submarines, and guided-missile destroyers.
The base is operated primarily by the US and serves as a critical hub for air and naval operations across a vast region spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.T he base has played a central role in US military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing a launch point for long-range bombers and supporting naval deployments, including submarines and surveillance missions. Its remote location makes it a secure site for pre-positioning military supplies, fuel and equipment, enabling rapid response during regional crises.
Diego Garcia is also seen as vital to Washington’s strategic posture in the Indian Ocean, allowing it to monitor and counter activities by rivals such as Iran and China. Its isolation and heavy fortification make it one of the most secure overseas military installations available to the US.
tags :iraniran warClick here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Check US Israel Iran War News Latest Updates, Stock Market Live, Dubai News Today.view commentsLocation :Tehran, IranFirst Published:March 21, 2026, 09:28 ISTNews world Can Iran Fire Missiles At Base In Indian Ocean 2,400 Miles Away? Tehran's Diego Garcia Attempt ExplainedDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Loading comments…Read More
