Netanyahu makes public appearance to say Iran’s missiles ‘can strike deep into Europe’
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 in 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 all the time. They now have the capacity to reach deep into Europe. They have already fired on a European country, Cyprus.
‘They are putting everyone in their sights.’
But senior ministers in the UK have said Israel’s warnings about Iran developing long-range missiles capable of reaching Europe are exaggerated.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the British military is ‘perfectly capable” of protecting the country.
Earlier today, two leading experts in the conflict told Metro the suggestions from Israel should be treated with ‘caution’.
But Dr Bamo Nouri, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of West London, said: ‘What the Diego Garcia strike demonstrates is not an imminent capability or intent to attack the UK mainland, but a calibrated extension of range tied to a specific military target—a joint US-UK base deeply embedded in ongoing operations against Iran.’
Dr Nouri said the strike near Diego Garcia does raise questions about Iran previously saying its missiles can only travel 2,000km, but ‘capability should not be conflated with intent’.
Dr Katayoun Shahandeh, Lecturer and Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London, said the strike near Diego Garcia is significant because it shows Iran’s capabilities and functions of strength.
‘It suggests that Tehran is prepared to demonstrate a reach well beyond its immediate region, which is why questions are now being asked about what that might mean for parts of Europe, including London,’ she said.
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