Iran is threatening to strike the base in the Indian Ocean where the US has deployed its strategic bombers, claiming it possesses the necessary weaponry to do so, according to the British Telegraph, citing a senior Iranian military source.
"There will be no distinction between British and American forces if Iran is attacked from any base in the region or within range of Iranian missiles," the Iranian source told the British newspaper. "When the time comes, it won't matter whether you're an American, British or Turkish soldier – you'll be a target if your base serves the Americans."
Diego Garcia is a British-controlled island in the Indian Ocean that houses a strategic US-British military base. Located about 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles) from Iran, the island is beyond the estimated range of Iran's conventional ballistic missiles, which are believed to have a maximum range of approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).
Iran's state media added that Tehran would strike the Diego Garcia facility with ballistic missiles and suicide drones in response to any "hostile action by the US against the Iranian nation." According to the reports, "Iran has the necessary weapons for such an attack from its own territory, including newer versions of the medium-range Khorramshahr missile and the Shahed-136B kamikaze drone, which has a range of 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles)."
These statements follow the publication of recent satellite images over the weekend showing that the US strategic base in the Indian Ocean now hosts at least five B-2 strategic bombers. The deployment is part of increasing reports of a US military buildup in the region. Simultaneously, the military news site Defense News reported that the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson has left Guam in the western Pacific and is headed to the area.
Axios reported that a senior US official acknowledged the deployment of the B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia is "not unrelated" to the two-month deadline set by Trump. On March 7, Trump revealed that he had sent a "final letter" to the Iranian leadership, stating that Iran had "two months" to reach a nuclear agreement with the US.
The B-2 is the most advanced bomber in the US arsenal, featuring stealth capabilities, a long flight range, and the ability to carry heavy payloads. The US Air Force operates 20 of these aircraft, which are typically stationed at a base in Missouri. What makes the B-2 especially significant in the Iranian context is its ability to carry the 14-ton Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) – a bunker-busting bomb specifically developed to target fortified underground facilities.
A British government spokesperson responded to the Iranian threats, saying, "We strongly condemn these threats. The UK government continues to work with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation. The base in Diego Garcia is vital to the security of the UK and the US and plays a key role in maintaining regional and international stability."
On Friday, Trump warned that "very bad things will happen" to Iran if it fails to reach an agreement on its nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had sent its response via Oman, clarifying its position regarding Trump's proposals and broader Middle East issues. He added that Iran would not engage in direct negotiations under US pressure, but remained open to indirect talks, as in the past.
