Iran Considers Strike on Diego Garcia Air Base in Response to U.S. Military Threats

Iranian military commanders are reportedly formulating a plan for a preemptive strike on the Diego Garcia air base, a joint U.S.-UK facility in the Indian Ocean, in response to escalating threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Telegraph, citing military sources, reveals that this decision comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Tehran following his return to power in 2025.

The Diego Garcia air base, located on an atoll in the Chagos archipelago, serves as a crucial strategic installation for both the United States and Great Britain. It plays a vital role in deploying bombers, conducting operations in the Middle East, and controlling essential maritime routes. Iranian leaders view the base as a potential target should tensions escalate further, with preparations for an attack currently in the planning stages. The final decision, however, will hinge on subsequent actions taken by Washington.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have surged in recent weeks, fueled by Trump’s aggressive rhetoric promising stringent measures against Tehran, including potential military action if it persists in advancing its nuclear program. Iran maintains that its nuclear developments are peaceful, yet it asserts its right to self-defense. The directive to prepare for a strike on Diego Garcia reflects Tehran’s strategy of readiness to respond asymmetrically to American provocations.

These developments are set against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions. The U.S. has been bolstering its military presence in the Persian Gulf, deploying additional ships and aircraft as a deterrent against Iran. The Diego Garcia base, while remote, has been pivotal in past military operations in the region, including actions against Iraq and Afghanistan. Analysts in Britain suggest that Iran could potentially employ ballistic missiles or drones in any attack, prompting the U.S. and UK to enhance the base’s defenses in anticipation of such a scenario.