No Evidence of Iran's Ability to Target London, says Top Official
The claim made by Israel stating that Iran possesses long-range missiles that can reach London lacks concrete evidence, as told by a high-ranking government official. The official denied any particular evidence that suggests Iran has an intention or even the capability to target the United Kingdom.
This statement was issued following the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) assertion that Tehran possesses missiles that could potentially cover a distance of up to 2,485 miles. This claim comes on the heels of recent news that Iran had attempted an attack on a shared US-UK military base located on the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,361 miles away from Iran.
Details of the Alleged Attack
The official refrained from divulging specifics about the proximity of the missiles to British territory, citing the sensitivity of operational details. It was reported that Iran launched two ballistic missiles towards Diego Garcia, with one falling short and the other intercepted.
Upon the news of this attempted attack, the IDF asserted that Tehran had previously planned to develop missiles with the capability of reaching Europe, Asia, and Africa. They stated, "The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris, or Berlin."
Addressing the Claims
When asked about the IDF's claims, the official maintained that there was no specific evidence to suggest that Iran had intentions or capabilities to target the UK. He confidently stated that the country is more than capable of protecting itself and its interests at home and abroad.
Responding to further queries about the IDF's statements, the official reiterated the lack of evidence to support such claims. He emphasized that even if Iran had the capacity to launch strikes at such a distance, the British armed forces are well-equipped to defend the UK.
Iran's Missile Capability
It is generally believed that the longest-range weapon in Iran's inventory has a maximum range of 1,243 miles, which falls significantly short of both Diego Garcia and London.
In a related conversation, a conservative counterpart of the official, who once served as foreign secretary, mentioned that Iran was deploying "very, very long-range missiles". However, he did not comment on whether these could potentially reach the UK since he no longer had access to intelligence reports.
Expert Opinions
A respected retired British Army general and former NATO commander commented that Israel's claims about Iran's capabilities should be viewed with seriousness, but with the same level of concern as potential threats from Russian missiles. He also suggested that it aligns with Israel's interests to involve as many nations in the conflict as possible.
UK's Defensive Measures
The UK government has restricted the use of British airbases exclusively for strikes on sites posing a threat to UK interests and allies in the region. Recently, this policy was expanded to include Iranian sites that pose a threat to vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global oil trade. Permission was granted to the US to use Diego Garcia to conduct these bombing raids.
The official dismissed the idea that the UK is seeking to escalate the conflict, stating it was "necessary to adapt to the new targets that the Iranians are focusing on".