Is Iran really able to strike London, and is the UK prepared for an attack?
Recent claims by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) allege that Iran possesses missiles capable of reaching European cities like London, with a range of approximately 4,000km. This follows reports that Iran targeted the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, about 3,800km from Iran.
The story so far
- Mar 20
- Mar 21
- Mar 22
- Mar 23
How outlets cover it
6 outletsNot rated on the left–right scale. It describes Western party politics and doesn’t fit state media or outlets outside that system, so we show ownership and country instead.
Open questions and key claims
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through this narrow channel (Strait of Hormuz).
NATO countries are “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
Trump said he was considering “winding down” military operations against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Iran will “exercise its right to self-defence”.
Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.
This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.
London condemned Tehran’s actions as “reckless.”
The United States has described the Diego Garcia base as “an all but indispensable platform” for security operations.
Who and where
Related stories over time
same people and places- Jan 20 – Jan 21 earlierTrump slams UK island handoff deal that could put key US military base at risk3 articles · 3 outlets
- Feb 5 – Feb 19 earlier
- Mar 3 – Mar 4 earlierMinister dismisses Trump’s claim Starmer is ‘no Churchill’ – UK politics live4 articles · 2 outlets
- Mar 20 – Mar 23◆ This story
- Mar 19 – Mar 21 at the same timeIran says it will allow Japanese ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz3 articles · 2 outlets
- Mar 31 later‘Get your own oil’: Trump launches tirade against Europe for not joining Iran war3 articles · 3 outlets
- Apr 1 – Apr 2 laterBritain says 40 countries discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz after Iran blockade7 articles · 4 outlets
- Apr 11 – Apr 13 laterChagos Islands treaty is now ‘impossible to agree at political level’, UK minister says6 articles · 4 outlets
- Apr 12 – Apr 22 laterIran reportedly fires on three ships in Strait of Hormuz80 articles · 6 outlets