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Iran Denies Missile Attack on US-UK Base, Labels Claim ‘Israeli False Flag’
Iran Denies Missile Attack on US-UK Base, Labels Claim ‘Israeli False Flag’
Iran on Monday denied allegations that it launched missiles targeting a joint United States-United Kingdom military base on Diego Garcia, describing the claim as an “Israeli false flag” operation.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, dismissed the accusation as part of a pattern of disinformation, following remarks by Mark Rutte that NATO could not verify Israel’s claim that the projectiles were Iranian intercontinental ballistic missiles.
In a statement posted on X, Baghaei criticised the narrative, noting that even the NATO chief declined to endorse what he described as “discredited false flag storylines.”
Rutte, however, in an interview with CBS News on Sunday, expressed support for the United States’ military actions against Iran, led by President Donald Trump, urging public backing.
He argued that the move was necessary to ensure global security.
Reports by The Wall Street Journal and other US media outlets had earlier indicated that missiles were fired between Thursday night and Friday morning but failed to hit the strategic base located on the Indian Ocean island.
It was noted that confirmation of Iran’s involvement would suggest it possesses ballistic missiles with a range exceeding 4,000 kilometres, potentially capable of reaching cities such as London.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, had earlier stated in an interview with NBC that the country had deliberately limited the range of its missile programme to below 2,000 kilometres to avoid being perceived as a global threat.
Reacting, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned what she described as “reckless Iranian threats,” while maintaining that London would not be drawn into a broader Middle East conflict.
Similarly, the UK Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, said there was no indication that Iran either intended or possessed the capability to strike the UK with long-range missiles.
The Diego Garcia military facility, jointly operated by the US and UK, hosts approximately 2,500 personnel, mostly American troops, and has played a significant role in past military operations spanning Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more recent strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, insisted that Iran deployed a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of about 4,000 kilometres in the alleged attack.
Israel has consistently warned that Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes pose a significant threat, urging US intervention over the years.
While previous US administrations largely refrained from direct military action, opting instead for sanctions, tensions have escalated in recent weeks.
No Threat to Britain from Iran, Says Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday dismissed fears that mainland Britain could be targeted by Iran, insisting that national security assessments show no immediate threat.
Speaking to reporters in London, Starmer said, “We carry out assessments all the time in order to keep us safe, and there’s no assessment that we’re being targeted in that way.”
The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid reports over the weekend that Iran fired two ballistic missiles at the joint U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean.
When asked if Britain could face repercussions from Iran following the strike, Starmer maintained a cautious tone, emphasising that protecting British interests was his top priority.
He also commented on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies, saying any attempt to reopen it must be approached with “careful consideration” and a “viable plan.”
The Prime Minister concluded by underlining his commitment to de-escalation, signalling a steady but cautious British approach in the region.
China Cautions US, Israel Against Escalation, Cites Iraq War Lessons
China on Monday called on all parties involved in the escalating Middle East conflict, particularly the United States and Israel, to halt military operations, warning that continued hostilities could trigger a “vicious cycle” with far-reaching global economic consequences.
Speaking after a shuttle diplomacy tour of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, China’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, urged restraint, stressing that those responsible for the crisis must take the lead in resolving it.
“The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it,” Zhai said during a media briefing, underscoring Beijing’s position that dialogue, not force, remains the only viable path to de-escalation.
In a separate briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, cautioned that the continued use of force would only deepen tensions, warning that an expansion of the conflict could plunge the entire region into chaos.
Referencing historical precedents, China highlighted the long-term consequences of war, pointing to the Iraq War, which marked its 23rd anniversary last week, as a stark reminder of the devastation prolonged conflicts can inflict on the Middle East.
The ministry noted that the 2003 invasion of Iraq led to years of instability, significant loss of life and the eventual rise of extremist groups, warning that a similar trajectory could emerge if the current hostilities involving Iran persist.
Meanwhile, Beijing expressed concerns over the economic fallout of the crisis, particularly on global energy supply and its export-driven economy, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—through which a significant share of global oil passes—threaten emerging markets and could dampen demand for Chinese goods in the coming months.
Trump Shares Skit Mocking Starmer Amid Iran War Talks
United States President Donald Trump has shared a video of a comedy skit portraying United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer as anxious about taking his call, hours after both leaders discussed the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.
The clip, posted on Truth Social, was taken from a British adaptation of Saturday Night Live and featured actor George Fouracres depicting a visibly nervous Starmer inside Downing Street ahead of a fictional phone conversation with Trump.
In the skit, Starmer is seen expressing fears about speaking with Trump, jokingly referring to him as a “scary, scary, wonderful president,” while consulting a parody version of Foreign Secretary David Lammy over the United Kingdom’s position on the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Trump did not include any caption with the video, which surfaced amid rising tensions between Washington and its NATO allies over their reluctance to support US-led efforts to counter Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US President has recently criticised NATO members, including the UK, describing them as unwilling to assist in what he termed a straightforward military effort to reopen the vital oil shipping route, through which about 20 per cent of global supply passes.
Meanwhile, both leaders held talks on Sunday evening, with Downing Street confirming that Trump and Starmer agreed on the urgency of reopening the Strait to stabilise global energy markets and ensure uninterrupted shipping.
However, Starmer on Monday stressed the need for caution, noting there was no indication Britain was under direct threat from Iran, while reiterating that any military response must prioritise de-escalation and protection of British interests.
No Threat to Britain from Iran, Says Starmer
China Cautions US, Israel Against Escalation, Cites Iraq War Lessons
Trump Shares Skit Mocking Starmer Amid Iran War Talks
Pastor Jerry Eze Defends Miracles At UK Conference Amidst Criticism And Controversy
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