The UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, has condemned Iran's firing of ballistic missiles at the Diego Garcia military base as 'reckless threats', signaling continued defensive support but avoiding wider Middle East conflict involvement. Reports indicate two missiles were launched, one intercepted by a US warship, the other failing in flight. While Iran's known intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) have a maximum range of 1,250 miles (2,000km), some analysts suggest its Khorramshahr missile could reach Diego Garcia's 2,350-mile distance.

The base, a strategically vital joint US-UK facility, has been used for Middle East operations but UK participation in US strikes has been limited to defending UK interests and Gulf shipping lanes. Cooper reiterated calls for a swift end to the conflict, acknowledging Iran's threats to international shipping and Gulf partners. This incident follows recent drone attacks on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, raising questions about UK preparedness.

The government has since deployed a Type 45 destroyer to the region for base protection.