European capitals within Iran’s range: Diego Garcia strike reveals new Iranian missile capability

Iran fired long-range missiles for the first time on Saturday, with Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir warning that the weapons place European capitals within range, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

According to Zamir, Iran launched two 4,000-kilometre-range ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, in what the Israeli military described as the “first time” such missiles were used in the conflict.

“These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals — Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” Zamir said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters.

UK rejects claim Iran can target Europe

British Housing Secretary Steve Reed pushed back on the claim, saying there was no assessment to support suggestions that Iran was planning or capable of targeting Europe with ballistic missiles.

“There is no assessment to substantiate what's being said,” Reed told BBC.

“I’m not aware of any assessment at all that they are even trying to target Europe, let alone that they could if they tried,” he added.

Iran strikes Dimona and Arad dozens injured near nuclear site

Late on Saturday, Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted “military installations” and security centres in southern Israel.

Israel’s nuclear reactor lies about 13 kilometres southeast of Dimona, with both Dimona and Arad located near key military sites including Nevatim Air Base.

Conflicting accounts over Natanz nuclear facility strike

Iranian media reported that US-Israeli forces attacked the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz enrichment complex on Saturday morning. Technical experts said no radioactive leaks were detected and nearby residents were not at risk.

Israel said it was unaware of such a strike, while the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was investigating the reports.

Strikes reported on Bushehr port and Kharg Island

Iranian media also reported strikes on a passenger terminal in Bushehr and an empty passenger ship near Kharg Island, a key hub handling most of Iran’s oil exports.

Netanyahu vows continued strikes

“This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement released after the strike on Arad.

“We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” the statement said.

Casualties rise as conflict intensifies

More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the US and Israel began their attacks. In Israel, 15 people have been killed in Iranian strikes since the war began.

Trump signals possible US military pullback

US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering “winding down” its military operation against Iran. In a social media post, he said the US was close to meeting its goals and suggested other countries should take the lead in securing the Strait of Hormuz.