Iran possesses a missile with the capability of reaching the UK, but the likelihood of an actual attack is considered extremely low at present. Amid the ongoing US and Israeli-led strikes on Iran, military historian Dr. Mark Felton discussed Iran’s missile capabilities. Following the assaults, Iran retaliated against its Gulf neighbors, causing a surge in oil prices and tensions escalating in Lebanon. Additionally, Iran has blocked the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil transport.
Dr. Felton referred to a previous video where he discussed a hypothetical scenario of Russia launching a non-nuclear attack on the UK using cruise missiles from aircraft and submarines. In a video on his YouTube channel, Mark Felton Productions, he detailed how such an assault could target vital elements of Britain’s infrastructure and defense systems, including power facilities, radar systems, ports, bridges, and military installations.
Highlighting the lack of preparedness in the UK for potential attacks, Dr. Felton pointed out the absence of advanced defense systems like the Israeli Iron Dome or surface-to-air missiles protecting critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities. He further addressed the ongoing conflict with Iran and the possibility of Iranian missiles reaching the UK, expressing concerns about potential strikes deep into Western Europe.
Dr. Felton noted that Iran has limited the range of most of its ballistic missiles to around 2,000km but possesses the Khorramshahr-4 missile with a maximum range of 3,000km, depending on the warhead’s weight. While London is currently out of range, Iran has other rockets that could potentially reach the UK but are not currently configured for that purpose, as they are primarily used in Iran’s space program.
Although Iran has the capability to reach the UK with certain rockets, Dr. Felton emphasized the technical challenges Iran faces in accurately targeting distant locations and developing re-entry vehicles capable of protecting warheads during atmospheric re-entry. Ultimately, he concluded that Iran lacks the necessary systems to effectively deploy warheads, making it technically improbable for Iran to launch a missile attack on the UK at present.
