Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said on Saturday that Iran fired long‑range missiles toward the Diego Garcia military base, which hosts U.S. and UK forces and is located roughly 4,000 km from Iran. Israeli officials cited the launch as evidence that Tehran’s missile capabilities could put major cities in Europe within range.
The Israeli military has raised fresh concerns over Iran’s missile capabilities following what it described as a long-range ballistic missile launch targeting a United States military installation.
Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said on Saturday that Iran fired a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of about 4,000 kilometres toward an American target on Diego Garcia Island.
“Just yesterday, Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers toward an American target on the island of Diego Garcia,” Zamir stated.
According to Zamir, the missile was not aimed at Israel but demonstrated a broader strategic threat extending well beyond the Middle East.
“These missiles were not intended to hit Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe — Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” he added.
The island of Diego Garcia, a remote military base in the Indian Ocean jointly used by the United States and the United Kingdom, has long served as a critical hub for Western military operations.
Zamir’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western allies, particularly over Tehran’s advancing missile programme and its growing regional influence.
There has been no immediate response from Iranian authorities, and independent verification of the missile launch was not immediately available.