Iran’s recent strike on the Diego Garcia military base, used by the United States and the United Kingdom, has highlighted Tehran’s ability to project force over long distances-comparable to the range separating Iran from major European capitals. This assessment comes from The Wall Street Journal.

The base lies roughly 2,500 miles (about 4,000 kilometers) from Iran, a distance similar to that between Iran and cities like London or Paris. According to U.S. officials, none of the missiles launched by Tehran reached their target: one failed mid-flight, while another was intercepted.

Even so, the report underscores that this marked the first known use by Iran of medium-range ballistic missiles with the theoretical capability to strike targets in Europe.

European governments had previously voiced concern over Iran’s efforts to extend the reach of its missile arsenal. Douglas Barrie of the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicated that the latest launches make those fears more tangible. He also pointed out that Tehran may be drawing on space-launch technologies for military purposes, complicating efforts to assess its true capabilities.

Following the attack, the United Kingdom expanded U.S. access to its military facilities to support operations against Iran and prevent further launches. Analysts suggest the significance of recent developments lies not only in technological advances but also in Iran’s shift toward a more assertive and offensive posture.