Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported, saying the strike showed “the range of Iran’s missiles is beyond what the enemy previously imagined.” The Wall Street Journal earlier said Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward the base but that they did not hit it.
The attacks came amid a wider escalation between Israel and Iran. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Tehran, Karaj (west of the capital) and the central city of Isfahan, and began a series of strikes on Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Sirens sounded across Israel as the military responded to missiles reported to have been launched from Iran. The Israeli army renewed evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods in Beirut’s suburbs; smoke, fires and explosions were reported, though no immediate casualty figures were available.
Iran held funeral processions for Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini, whom state media said was killed in an Israeli strike the previous day. Iran’s top military spokesperson, Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” worldwide would not be safe for the country’s enemies, a statement that raised concerns Tehran might authorize strikes beyond the Middle East. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei praised Iranians’ steadfastness in a Nowruz message; state media noted he has not been seen publicly since the strikes that reportedly killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The United States responded by moving additional forces to the region, including thousands more Marines. President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of reluctance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and said the U.S. was “getting very close to meeting our objectives” as it weighed winding down some military efforts—comments that contrasted with requests from Washington for additional war funding. To try to ease surging global crude prices, the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions to allow the sale of Iranian oil already at sea, authorizing the release of about 140 million barrels.
Other developments included warnings from United Airlines’ CEO that the carrier is preparing for jet fuel costs equivalent to Brent crude at $175 a barrel and for oil to remain above $100 into next year, reflecting steep recent fuel-price rises. Kyodo News reported Iran told Japan it was prepared to allow Japan-related vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz if Tokyo sought reopening. Human-rights groups warned a wave of executions may be underway in Iran after three young men, including a 19-year-old wrestler, were hanged this week—the first known executions among tens of thousands detained after nationwide protests. Separately, an Indian family said a 26-year-old man working in Riyadh may have been killed in a suspected missile attack; official confirmation was pending.
Analysts said the exchanges so far mark the deadliest spillover from the Iran war since Hezbollah first fired on Israel in support of Tehran earlier in March. Both sides appear to be broadening targets, and global concern is growing over regional escalation and the possibility of attacks beyond the Middle East.
