A newly released map has revealed the extensive list of countries that could potentially be targeted by Iran’s missiles due to their “true” range capabilities. Over the weekend, Iran launched two missiles towards the joint British-American military base on Diego Garcia island in the Indian Ocean. Both missiles failed to hit their intended target, with one being intercepted and the other plunging into the ocean due to a technical malfunction.
The attempted strike on the base, located approximately 4,000 kilometers from Iran, has prompted military officials to reevaluate the reach of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal. According to an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson, Iran’s missiles now have a maximum effective range of 2,485 miles, potentially putting cities across Europe in jeopardy.
Following the reassessment of Iran’s missile capabilities, regions in the UK, including London, Cambridge, and Norwich, are now considered vulnerable. Updated maps highlight the numerous countries within Iran’s missile range, with most of mainland Europe at risk. However, Spain and Portugal appear to be out of immediate danger, while parts of North-eastern Africa, India, and Pakistan could also be potential targets.
Recent events have led to Iranians viewing British military assets as legitimate targets, especially after the Pentagon received authorization to use Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford facilities for potential strikes on Iranian missile sites in the Strait of Hormuz. The IDF’s Chief of the General Staff warned that Iran’s Khorramshahr-4 missiles could pose a significant threat to major European cities like Berlin, Paris, and Rome.
Experts suggest that while Iran’s missiles theoretically could reach the UK, their limited payload and accuracy would make them less effective in causing substantial damage. The NATO’s Ballistic Missile Defence system is in place to intercept any potential threats launched from Iran towards the UK.
Although over 50 countries fall within the technical range of Iran’s missiles, the likelihood of attacks on most of them remains low, including countries like China and Libya, which are known allies of Iran. Despite Iran’s claims of limiting missile range to avoid being perceived as a threat, statements from world leaders like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have raised concerns about Iran’s missile capabilities targeting Europe and potentially the US mainland.
