First op use of IRBMs by Tehran, way beyond West Asia theatre of war, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Iran attempted to target Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, with ballistic missiles.
• The missiles included intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), marking their first disclosed deployment by Iran.
• One missile failed mid-flight, while the other was intercepted by a US Navy SM-3 interceptor.
• Diego Garcia is strategically located and hosts bombers, nuclear submarines, and guided-missile destroyers.
• In May 2025, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years.

Detailed Insights:

• Iran's attempt to strike Diego Garcia demonstrates its capability to reach targets beyond West Asia, signaling a shift in its strategic reach.
• IRBMs bridge the gap between medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), with a range of 3,000-5,500 km.
• Diego Garcia's strategic importance lies in its proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Malacca Strait, critical maritime chokepoints.
• The base played a crucial role in past military operations, including the Persian Gulf War, strikes on Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.
• The International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that the UK's separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius was illegal.
• The UK's lease extension in 2016 was set to expire in 2036, but the 2025 sovereignty agreement with Mauritius altered the arrangement.

Key Concepts Involved:

• IRBM (Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile): A ballistic missile with a range between 3,000 and 5,500 km.
• MRBM (Medium-Range Ballistic Missile): A ballistic missile with a range between 1,000 and 3,000 km.
• ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile): A ballistic missile with a range exceeding 5,500 km.