Iran Missiles Target UK Base, Tensions Escalate

0:00On March 21st, Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the joint U.S.-U.K. base on the Ego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. This came right after U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved U.S. strikes from British bases against Iranian sites threatening the Strait of Hormuz. Neither missile hit its target. One was shot down by a U.S. warship and the other failed during flight. The base has been in the spotlight amid a deal where the U.K. hands sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius, but leases the facility back. Before this, U.K. bases were limited to defensive actions protecting British interests in the Gulf. Iran had warned that British lies were at risk from allowing these expanded U.S. operations. Iran's foreign minister called it aggression and vowed self-defense, while U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the U.K. for moving too slowly on. Permissions. Also pressed NATO allies to step up with warships to reopen the Strait. Back home, opposition leaders labeled Starmer's decision a major reversal and demanded a parliamentary

1:03vote first. Earlier, an Iranian drone struck RAF Akroteerie in Cyprus after initial U.K. approvals for defensive use. Liberal Democrats and Greens echoed calls for debate and parliament before any more base access. Tensions remain high as the U.K. plans a cobra meeting next week to tackle rising living costs from the conflict, with all eyes on how alliances hold up.