Iranian military leaders are considering a preemptive strike on the U.S.-U.K. military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to The Telegraph.
Located about 2,400 miles south of Iran, Diego Garcia hosts U.S. strategic bombers and military aircraft. Recent reports claimed that the U.S. military is deploying a significant number of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, along with support aircraft to Diego Garcia. Analysts suggest that the bombers’ presence on Diego Garcia positions them strategically for long-range operations targeting Yemen or Iran.
In recent days, President Donald Trump has ramped up his threats against Iran, warning of direct conflict if the country fails to halt its support for the Houthi terrorist group or cease its nuclear ambitions.
Iranian commanders believe a strike on the Diego Garcia base could deter Trump from initiating an attack. A senior Iranian official told The Telegraph that military leaders are advocating for action if the threats from Trump persist.
Iran’s known missile range is about 1,200 miles, but experts believe it may be able to strike farther. The IRGC’s Khorramshahr-2 missile may reach 1,800 miles, and a newer version called the Khorramshahr-4, or “Kheibar,” could go farther, though it hasn’t been tested.
Analysts noted that even if Iran can’t directly hit Diego Garcia, iit could use converted merchant ships or tankers to expand its strike range.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Russian International Affairs magazine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov cautioned that any U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure would lead to “catastrophic” consequences.
“Threats are really heard, and ultimatums are also heard. We consider such methods inappropriate, we condemn them,” Ryabkov added.
Amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the United States has significantly reinforced its military presence in both the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. In retaliation, Iran has enhanced its missile defense capabilities and conducted joint naval exercises with Russia and China in the Gulf of Oman, a passage near the Persian Gulf’s entrance.
