LONDON – Britain would be forced to rely on American missile defence systems stationed in Europe if Iran launched a rocket attack on the UK similar to the one attempted on Diego Garcia this weekend.
The warning came after Tehran fired two ballistic missiles on Friday night towards the base in the Indian Ocean, which is jointly operated by the US and the UK.
The island lies 2 360 miles from Iran, well beyond the 1 240 miles which was thought to be the outer limit of the regime’s reach.
It potentially puts Paris, 2 609 miles away, and even London, 2 750 miles, within Iran’s range if, as some strategists fear, the country uses its Simorgh space launch technology to extend its missile range. RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus is just 1 000 miles from Tehran.
Israel warned last night that Iran’s new missile can hit Europe.
IDF Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, in a video released on Saturday night said: ‘‘Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4 000km towards an American target on the island of Diego Garcia.
‘‘The missiles were not intended to hit Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe. Berlin, Paris and Rome are all within direct threat range.’’ The IDF later added that London is also in range.
Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore, said: ‘‘Ballistic missiles are space rockets. They launch, they go really high up and they come down really fast. If you’ve got a space programme, you’ve got a ballistic missile programme.’’
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