Iran fires missiles towards UK-US base on Diego Garcia

Iran has fired missiles towards a joint US-UK base on the island of Diego Garcia after warning that British lives were “in danger” after Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes from British bases.Tehran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the Chagos Islands but neither hit, the Iranian news agency Mehr reported.One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing multiple officials.Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, is about 3,800km (2,360 miles) from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers.The island has been at the centre of a political row after the UK agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base.Ministers gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases including Diego Garcia on Friday afternoon. Previously, UK bases were only being used to strike Iranian sites targeting British allies and interests in Gulf states.Iran reacted angrily, with its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claiming it would “exercise its right to self-defence”. Posting on X, he said: “Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.“Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”The US president, Donald Trump, said the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in giving the US permission. He has already piled pressure on Nato allies, calling them “cowards” for refusing to offer warships to reopen the strait.The UK government had previously granted the US permission only for “defensive” action.When that decision was made, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone. The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, described Sir Keir’s latest move as the “mother of all U-turns” in a post on X.The Liberal Democrats and the Green party said granting further permission for the US to use British bases must first be put to a parliamentary vote.Starmer will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with the cost of living caused by the war, it is understood.A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.“RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.“This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.”