Iran launched missiles towards Diego Garcia, a British island military base jointly operated with the US, in a 2,000-mile overnight attack, as confirmed by officials. The Middle Eastern country fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the Indian Ocean base, located 2,500 miles away, on Friday night. One missile malfunctioned in mid-air, while the other was intercepted by a US warship using an SM-3 Interceptor.
This incident has once again brought attention to the base, which has been a point of contention in UK-US relations since Donald Trump’s presidency. Diego Garcia, a remote British Overseas Territory established in 1960, is shrouded in secrecy and primarily managed by US authorities despite London’s administrative oversight.
Although the base hosts a small permanent military presence of approximately 360 personnel, mainly from the US Air Force, US Navy, and British forces, it accommodates a larger civilian population. The island is equipped with extensive military infrastructure, including runways for various aircraft, radar installations, control towers, and a deep-water port capable of servicing naval vessels.
Diego Garcia has been crucial in past military operations such as the Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq War in 2003. More recently, it served as a launchpad for US operations against the Houthis in Yemen. The UK government has negotiated a lease deal with Mauritius for the base, valued at £3.4 billion, granting sovereignty over the island for 99 years.
Despite initial support from US officials, including former President Trump, the agreement has faced criticism and uncertainty. Trump’s inconsistent stance on the deal has led to unresolved issues, prompting Mauritius to explore legal options to secure its passage. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam expressed concerns over the budget implications of the agreement, indicating a challenging financial outlook for the coming years.
