Iran has launched ballistic missiles targeting a joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Simultaneously, Iran claims its nuclear facility at Natanz was struck by US and Israeli forces. The attacks come amid heightened regional tensions and a widening war that has already impacted global energy markets and caused significant casualties.
The UK Ministry of Defence denounced Iran’s actions as “reckless attacks” after ballistic missiles were fired toward the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. A US official confirmed that two missiles were launched, with one failing mid-flight and the other being intercepted by an American warship. The range of these missiles, approximately 2,500 miles from Iran, has raised concerns about Tehran’s growing missile capabilities.
Iranian state media reported that the Natanz uranium-enrichment facility, a key site in Iran’s nuclear program, was hit in an airstrike. Iran stated that no radioactive leakage was detected and there was no danger to nearby residents. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it had been informed by Iran about the strike and was monitoring the situation. This incident follows previous US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier in the conflict.
In an effort to combat soaring global oil prices, exacerbated by the conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Treasury Department has temporarily lifted sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently at sea. This move, however, is seen by US officials as offering little financial benefit to Iran, as they aim to maintain maximum pressure on the country’s financial system.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that US-Israeli strikes against Iran would “increase significantly” in the coming week, signaling a continued commitment to military action. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has indicated that the US is considering “winding down” its military operations, though this appears to contrast with ongoing deployments and requests for additional funding. Several nations, including the UAE and Australia, have joined a statement expressing willingness to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.