Denied, Then Revealed – Iran’s Missile Reach Casts A Shadow Over Europe

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): There are growing concerns that Iran could strike targets further afield than previously thought following its attempted attack on a U.K.-U.S. base nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away.

The Khorramshahr-4 long range ballistic missiles were fired by Iran at the island of Diego Garcia sometime during the period late on Thursday night into Friday morning.

Foreign secretary denounces “reckless Iran threats” after missiles fired at Diego Garcia.

No damage from the missiles was reported after one failed mid-flight, and the other was reportedly shot down by the U.S., but the range of the strike is what has generated alarm.

The U.S.-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the attack “demonstrated that Iranian missiles can reach beyond the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) limit that the regime has long claimed to have self-imposed.”

Israel said that it was the first time Iran had launched a long-range missile since the war began and that it showed it is capable of reaching major European cities such as London.

Map shows how London could be in range of Iranian ballistic missiles.

Still, these missiles are likely to have reduced accuracy and smaller warheads to save weight.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has imbued U.S. military actions with a Christian moral underpinning that suggests they are divinely sanctioned. Like many U.S. political leaders of the past.

Terror groups under increased scrutiny in Director of National Intelligence’s (DNI’s) annual threat report, outlining the broader intelligence community’s assessment of dangers to U.S. and its interests and military installations abroad.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Woke or nope? Why military fellowships at civilian universities matter. When Marine Corps selected this author as fellow at Yale University’s International Security Studies Program and Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy in 2012, I was not exactly sure how year would unfold.

HOMELAND DEFENSE

U.S. forces successfully countered drone threat over “strategic” U.S. installation hours into joint U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran that began on Feb. 28.

US POWER OVERSEAS

Pentagon wants to increase naval, special operations capabilities on Greenland and potentially operating in three new areas on the vast north American island.

Denmark reportedly dispatched troops and explosives to Greenland in January as part of contingency plan to destroy key runways if U.S. attempted an invasion.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

USS Boxer and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploy to Middle East with thousands of additional Marines and sailors.

President Trump said U.S. is considering “winding down” its military efforts against Iran, as another 2,000 Marines and more warships are headed to the region.

U.S. military ramps up to clear Strait of Hormuz. Warplanes and attack helicopters are “hunting and killing” Iran’s fast-attack watercraft in contested sea lanes.

UK approves U.S. use of British bases to strike Iran missile sites targeting ships in Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Ambassador to UN Mike Waltz said allies are beginning to “come around” on providing support to reopen Strait of Hormuz, which Trump has urged them to do.

‘Hormuz has to reopen’:  Trump promised to “drill, baby, drill,” but as war in Iran stretches into fourth week, he’s having difficult time persuading U.S. oil and gas producers to expand production to tame prices.

Iranian strike hits near Israeli nuclear facility after Tehran says its site targeted. Chief of UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency called for “maximum military restraint” following the strikes.

U.S. Air Force F-35A pilot suffered shrapnel wounds after their aircraft was damaged during combat mission over Iran on March 19.

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

Two suspected Iranian spies have been arrested after attempting to enter Britain’s nuclear submarine base in Scotland.

NATO has pulled several hundred personnel out of Iraq as Iran war rages.

Ukraine has deployed specialist teams to five Middle Eastern countries to help intercept drones and advise on air-defense measures, with officials saying they expect to conclude several significant agreements.

Saudi Arabia orders Iranian military attaché, assistant attaché and four embassy staff to leave within 24 hours after being declared persona non grata, citing continued Iranian attacks on Saudi territory.

Israeli military striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut, after issuing an evacuation warning for seven neighborhoods in southern suburbs of Lebanese capital.

Attacks on desalination plants in Iran war forecast a dark future. Water could become a major factor in the war, with majority of Gulf countries’ supplies coming from desalination plants – up to 99% in case of Qatar – over 90% of that from just 56 plants.

War in Iran Has Put Middle East Water Supplies at Risk.

CHINA THREAT

Trump administration telling foreign officials it will not reschedule summit between the president and Chinese leader Xi Jinping until Iran war ends.

China mysteriously reduced warplane activity near Taiwan. Could it be high fuel prices, or desire to avoid upsetting Trump? What about China’s annual political confab in early March? Analysts have offered different explanations for recent trend: net reduction in daily Chinese fighter plane activity near Taiwan over past three weeks.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

How Ukraine’s front line became a laboratory for drone innovation. In eastern Ukraine, a small crew of soldiers watching for Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia launches in waves.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

“Ugly duckling.” Japan’s new electronic-warfare aircraft, converted from Kawasaki C-2 tactical cargo hauler, took to sky for its maiden flight this week.

US MILITARY

Pilot optional. Army officially received its first version of new Black Hawk helicopter, modified to allow it to fly without a pilot if needed.

Marines test ‘cruise control’ swim feature on amphibious vehicle prototype. The vehicles vying to replace the Corps’ aging light armored vehicle fleet hit the water for first time earlier this year, completing series of tests to demonstrate safety and performance and highlighting some new features.

Air Force identified hundreds of service members who were involuntarily discharged for declining COVID-19 vaccine and allowed eligible veterans to some upgrades, boosting their ability to return to service without a waiver.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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