The escalating conflict in West Asia has taken a dramatic turn with Iran launching missiles far beyond the Middle East amid calls for de-escalation from regional leaders.
In a surprising development, Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) towards the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, roughly 4,000 km from Iranian territory. Reports indicate neither missile struck the target — one failed mid-flight, while a US warship deployed an SM-3 interceptor against the other, though success remains unconfirmed.
This move has raised questions about Iran’s undisclosed missile capabilities, as Tehran had previously claimed a 2,000 km range limit.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasised that Iran did not initiate the war and urged an immediate halt to what he described as US-Israeli aggression. He conditioned ending the conflict on guarantees against future attacks and proposed a regional security framework excluding foreign interference.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering seizing Iranian nuclear sites after three weeks of hostilities, discussing options to secure related materials without formal orders yet.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed US victory claims, likening them to exaggerated narratives from the Vietnam War era.
Additionally, Iranian forces targeted military bases in the UAE and Kuwait, launching missiles and drones at Al Minhad and Ali Al Salem, reportedly destroying infrastructure linked to attacks on Iran.
These developments underscore the widening scope of the crisis, with global concerns over stability and energy routes growing.
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