The Iranian strike demonstrated new capabilities in the Iranian arsenal. The Diego Garcia base has previously been considered an untouchable US military base. It is located 4,000 km southeast of the coast of Iran. Meanwhile, experts assumed that the maximum range of Iranian missiles was 2,000 km.
— It was always assumed that they did [irańskie pociski] range only about 2,000 to 2,500 km, says security expert Carlo Masala from the Bundeswehr University in Munich. According to the analyst, Iran could have used Khorramshahr-4 medium-range ballistic missiles.
The attack raises many questions, such as: has Iran secretly improved its military technologies and could Iranian missiles in theory strike European countries?
Masala suspects that the Iranian missiles may either fly further than intelligence services previously assumed or were launched without warheads – just as the Russians did during their attack on Ukraine with the Oreshnik missile.
Iranian Khorramshahr-4 missile in TehranSTR/AFP / AFP
According to Masala, Simorgh-class space rockets are also considered. Other experts also have such assumptions.
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“Iran's Simorgh-class missile could have a longer range, probably at the expense of accuracy,” said Justin Bronk, a senior researcher at the British think tank Royal United Services Institute, as quoted by the AP news agency.
“No one, and I mean no one, expected that Iran had missiles of this range,” said analyst William Alberque of the American think tank Pacific Forum in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency.
According to the expert, a modified rocket was used, “possibly a prototype”. The analyst said Tehran may still have weapons stockpiles or plants where modifications can be made.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not yet commented publicly on Iran's attack – which has been met with criticism in London. The leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, criticized the fact that the public learned about the attack from the media.
“The Prime Minister must immediately explain why the public was not informed earlier,” she said. A spokesman for the UK Ministry of Defense only emphasized that Iran's attacks threaten British interests and allies in the region.
Capabilities of the Iranian arsenal
With a range of almost 4,000 km, European capitals suddenly find themselves in a potential attack area. Warsaw, Berlin, Bern and Vienna are within reach. Even metropolises further west, such as Paris or London, could theoretically be attacked from northwestern Iran.
How quickly could such a missile reach its target? It takes medium-range missiles about 10 to 12 minutes to cover about 1,800 km between Iran and Israel. Converting this to almost 2,500-3,000 km (depending on the launch site), the missile could reach Warsaw in approximately 20 minutes or less.
Poland, however, has complex air defense: Patriot systems. Moreover, the “Wisła” program assumes the construction of the “top level” of Polish air defense, i.e. systems with a range of over 100 km. Its core are American Patriot air defense systems. Support will include, among others: modern LTAMDS omnidirectional radars and the IBCS air defense management system. Military expert Carlo Masala emphasizes that other European countries, such as Germany, also have advanced air defense systems.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
