London in range as Iran activates ‘space’ rocket for long-distance strikes | World | News
London is now in range as Iran has activated a “space” rocket to strike far beyond previous limits and maintains hidden cells across Europe, a top UK defence analyst has warned. While London is approximately 4,400 km from Tehran, analysts argue the recent 3,800 km strike on Diego Garcia proves Iran has developed the multi-stage technology required to bridge the remaining distance.
Iran fired ballistic missiles at the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia using an improvised Simorgh space-launch vehicle, extending its reach to nearly 4,000 km in a dramatic demonstration of capability. Justin Bronk of RUSI said pre-war estimates capped Iran’s arsenal at around 2,000 km. Mr Bronk explained: “Most pre-war public estimates of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal had the upper reach at around 2000kms for the larger Shahab-3 and Sejjil types; far short of the range needed to hit Diego Garcia.”
He added: “However, the launches in this case may have been improvised use of the Simorgh space launch vehicle, which could offer greater range as a ballistic missile; albeit at the likely cost of terminal accuracy.”
One missile failed and fell short; the second was intercepted by a US destroyer after Britain’s overseas territory came under direct attack.
Mr Bronk described Israel’s claim that Iran can now hit London, Paris or Berlin as a calculated political push. He said: “From the Israelis I think this is a very clear attempt to try and widen the number of countries that are participating in the Israeli-US operation against Iran, which clearly is not going as well as the Israeli or US planners would have hoped.”
Mr Bronk continued: “And the messaging of, well, you know, your audience essentially are in the firing line too – therefore, you should all come and help.”
UK Housing Secretary Steve Reed rejected the Israeli warning, insisting there is “no assessment to substantiate” that Iran could target Britain. He told the BBC: “There is no specific assessment that the Iranians are targeting the UK – or even could if they wanted to.”
Mr Bronk, however, sees a deliberate Iranian balancing act. He said: “There’s a bit of a balance that the Iranians are trying to play here, which is on the one hand there’s a bit of a tacit warning I suspect to European capitals of remember that we could also hit you guys at least to a limited degree if you were to get involved.”
He noted: “At the same time, I suspect their actual appetite to strike any European targets would be minimal, because the last thing the Iranian government wants at this point is anybody else joining the Israeli operations. I suspect the actual likelihood of any targeting is minimal.”
Instead, Mr Bronk warned of Iran’s more realistic threat: covert operative cells already positioned across Europe. He said: “On the other hand it is worth noting that the Iranians have plenty of ways to potentially cause more covert trouble with, you know, basically operative cells in multiple countries in Europe, which is more likely to be directed towards military installations, for example, something that is deniable that the public won’t necessarily see, so it won’t lead to particular pressure from the public to governments in Europe to get involved but will be briefed to European politicians and therefore seen for the warning that it is from the Iranians to not get involved.”
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, also of RUSI, noted that long-range missiles would be inaccurate and must cross heavily defended airspace. Retired Nato commander Sir Richard Shirreff added that Israel has an interest in broadening the conflict.
The UK has already downed Iranian drones in the Middle East and is now allowing US strikes from Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford against Iranian targets threatening Gulf shipping. Opposition parties are calling for a parliamentary vote on the expanded involvement.
