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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Iran’s missiles can reach ‘deep into Europe’ after other sources said his claims were exaggerated.
Speaking publicly after Iran targeted Diego Garcia within the Chagos Islands with two intermediate-range ballistic missiles, Netanyahu reiterated his warning.
‘They fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Diego Garcia – that’s 4,000 kilometres,’ he said.
‘I’ve been warning on a regular basis. They now have the capability to achieve deep into Europe. They’ve already fired on a European country, Cyprus.
‘They’re putting everyone of their sights.’
But senior ministers within the UK have said Israel’s warnings about Iran developing long-range missiles able to reaching Europe are exaggerated.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the British military is ‘perfectly capable” of protecting the country.
Earlier today, two leading experts within the conflict told Metro the suggestions from Israel must be treated with ‘caution’.
But Dr Bamo Nouri, Senior Lecturer in International Relations on the University of West London, said: ‘What the Diego Garcia strike demonstrates just isn’t an imminent capability or intent to attack the UK mainland, but a calibrated extension of range tied to a selected military goal—a joint US-UK base deeply embedded in ongoing operations against Iran.’
Dr Nouri said the strike near Diego Garcia does raise questions on Iran previously saying its missiles can only travel 2,000km, but ‘capability mustn’t be conflated with intent’.
Dr Katayoun Shahandeh, Lecturer and Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London, said the strike near Diego Garcia is critical since it shows Iran’s capabilities and functions of strength.
‘It suggests that Tehran is ready to display a reach well beyond its immediate region, which is why questions are actually being asked about what that may mean for parts of Europe, including London,’ she said.
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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