DID Press: Iran reportedly attempted, for the first time, to target the US military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, signaling Tehran’s expansion of missile range beyond previous limits.
U.S. officials confirmed that Iran’s medium-range ballistic missiles did not hit the target. The base, approximately 3,000 kilometers from Iran, represents a significant leap beyond the 2,000-kilometer range limit set by Tehran in 2017.
Security experts note that Iran’s space-launch vehicle technology is derived from its ballistic missile program and could potentially hit long-range targets if used in a ballistic trajectory. Researcher Sam Lier from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies highlighted that satellite launchers like the Qaim-100 could threaten distant targets if repurposed.
Analysts also cite lighter warhead designs in missiles like the Khorramshahr as a factor increasing range. However, long-distance targeting precision remains a challenge, and Iran reportedly relies on reconnaissance and satellite data from Russia and China.
Trita Parsi, founder of the Quincy Institute, noted: “While U.S. soil remains out of reach, bases once considered inaccessible are now within range.”
European countries hosting U.S. facilities for operations against Iran may face new security challenges as a result. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iran currently possesses missiles including the Sejjil, Khorramshahr, and Sumar cruise missiles with ranges between 2,000–3,000 kilometers.