Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Iran’s missile capabilities extend far enough to threaten London, citing a recent attack on a joint US-UK military base.
Hegseth’s comments referenced two missiles Iran launched at Diego Garcia, a US-UK military installation in the Indian Ocean, last month. Both projectiles missed their targets, according to UK officials, but the incident has intensified concerns about Iran’s reach across Europe and beyond.
What Hegseth Said
“Two days ago they shot two failed missiles on a target 4,000km away,” Hegseth said, noting that Iran had previously claimed its missiles could only travel 2,000 kilometers. “For years, they told the world that their missiles could only range [2,000] kilometres. Surprise. Yet again, Iran lie.”
Hegseth highlighted the geographic implications of Iran’s demonstrated range. “London is 4,000km from Iran. Washington DC is 3,300km from Venezuela,” he said, referencing another country that has maintained ties to Tehran.
Israeli military officials have previously assessed that Iranian missiles could reach approximately 4,000 kilometers, placing numerous nations across Europe, Asia, and Africa within potential striking distance.
Nuclear Negotiations Stall
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered this week that enriched uranium stockpiles “should not leave the country,” effectively rejecting a key Trump administration demand in ongoing peace negotiations.
According to Israeli officials who spoke with Reuters, President Trump had previously assured Israel that Iran’s highly enriched uranium inventory would be entirely removed from the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that any agreement must include complete removal of enriched uranium, cessation of Iran’s support for regional militias, and dismantling of ballistic missile infrastructure.
Two Iranian sources speaking on condition of anonymity said Tehran’s leadership believes removing the uranium would undermine national security. “The Supreme Leader’s directive and the consensus within the establishment, is that the stockpile of enriched uranium should not leave the country,” one source stated.
Diplomatic Standoff
Negotiations remain deadlocked despite a ceasefire that has held since April 8. That truce followed military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28.
The talks face significant complications from competing leverage. Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, while the United States maintains a naval blockade affecting Iranian shipping.
Pakistani mediators are currently facilitating discussions between the parties, with some observers suggesting diplomatic progress may be possible.
This story has been updated. CNN’s International Desk contributed to this report.
