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European capitals ‘within direct threat range’ after Iran missile launch, claims intensify

22 March 2026 10:03 (UTC +04:00)

Iran has significantly escalated its military posture against the United States by reportedly launching two medium range ballistic missiles toward the US UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to Fox News.

The targeting of Diego Garcia, located approximately 2,500 miles from Iran, suggests that Tehran’s missile capabilities may extend beyond previously assumed limits.

Prior to the February 28 “Operation Epic Fury,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated: “We have deliberately kept the range of our missiles below 2,000 kilometers so that we would not have this capability. We do not intend to do this, as we have no hostility toward the American people or Europeans.”

However, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Iran launched a two stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers toward the US target on Diego Garcia.

“These missiles were not intended for Israel. Their range reaches European capitals — Berlin, Paris and Rome are within direct threat range,” Zamir stated.

IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani also criticized Iran’s previous claims, writing on X: “Just three days before the war, the Iranian regime said it did not possess long range missiles. Today, with a launch reaching 4,000 km from Iranian territory, that claim has been exposed as false. They sought to deceive the world while developing a force capable of terror. We did not believe them.”