US officials told The Wall Street Journal that Iran launched two intermediate‑range ballistic missiles targeting the joint US‑UK base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago. One missile failed in flight; a US warship fired an SM‑3 interceptor at the other, but officials have not confirmed whether the intercept was successful. The report did not give a precise time for the launches.
Diego Garcia sits roughly 4,000 kilometres from Iran, a distance that, if confirmed, would exceed the roughly 2,000‑kilometre range publicly cited last month by Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. The SM‑3 interceptors used by the US Navy employ a hit‑to‑kill approach: a kinetic “kill vehicle” collides with an incoming warhead at high speed rather than using an explosive warhead.
Speaking outside the White House, President Donald Trump said the United States is “very close” to winding down military operations against Iran while adding that Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. He outlined objectives that include degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, striking at its defense industrial base and naval and air forces, curbing anti‑aircraft systems, preventing progress toward a nuclear weapon, and protecting regional partners.
The Pentagon has sent three additional warships and deployed thousands of Marines to the region.
Iran has warned it could broaden retaliation beyond the Middle East. Senior military spokesman General Abolfazl Shekarchi said that parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations worldwide would not be safe for Iran’s adversaries, comments that raised concerns about possible asymmetric operations outside the region.
Iran has intensified attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. Reports said two waves of Iranian drones struck Kuwait’s Mina Al‑Ahmadi refinery in the early hours of Friday, igniting a fire at one of the region’s largest refineries (about 730,000 barrels per day capacity). Tehran also warned the United Arab Emirates that it would target Ras al‑Khaimah if Iranian Gulf islands were attacked again from UAE territory.
On the diplomatic front, Araghchi criticized the UK for allowing US forces to use British bases for strikes, saying most Britons do not want to be part of what he called an “Israel‑U.S. war of choice on Iran” and accusing UK leaders of putting British lives at risk. Iran reiterated it is acting in self‑defense and signaled limited flexibility by saying it may permit Japanese‑linked vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said joint US‑Israeli strikes have “significantly weakened” Iran’s military capabilities, claiming that missile and drone inventories are being heavily degraded and that facilities producing missile components are being destroyed.
Separately, US defense company RTX said its Raytheon unit has signed long‑term agreements with the US Department of Defense to expand production of key munitions, including the SM‑3 interceptor. The company also plans to scale up output of Tomahawk, AMRAAM, SM‑3 and SM‑6 systems, with production expected to rise two to four times current levels.
This report is based on a syndicated feed and was published as received; the Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
