Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint British-American base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean. Tehran called this a "significant step" in its standoff with the United States. The base is approximately 3,800 km away. Experts believe this is not only a signal to the Americans but also a precedent that changes the threat landscape for all of Europe, including Ukraine. European countries could become legitimate targets if they support US and Israeli actions against Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi previously stated this on France 24. Takht-Ravanchi noted that a warning had already been conveyed to European and other countries to avoid escalation. Now, any military base in Romania, Poland, or southern Europe is within Iran's range. Nevertheless, the Pentagon has announced that most European countries support the US operation against Iran. They provide access to their bases and the right to cross their airspace, noted US General Alexus Grinkevich*, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. At the same time, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK will not allow its forces to be drawn into the conflict. The Daily Mail reported a day ago, citing military sources, that the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine HMS Anson had arrived in the Arabian Sea. The submarine is armed with Tomahawk Block IV missiles with a range of 1,000 miles As the newspaper's sources noted, the British Army now has the ability to strike Iran if the conflict escalates. CBS News and The Times reported that US and British militaries are jointly exploring the possibility of resuming shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to The Times, British specialists have already arrived in the US to develop a strategy. Meanwhile, the Iranian Mehr news agency called the launch of two ballistic missiles toward the joint British-American base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean a "significant step" in the current standoff with the United States. First and foremost, this is a serious demonstration of Iran's capabilities, according to military expert Yuri Knutov (retired colonel and officer in the country's air defense system). And this raises a key problem for the entire North Atlantic Alliance. "If Iranian missiles are capable of reaching American bases in Europe, the question arises: how to defend them? The Americans have already transferred Patriot missiles from South Korea to the Middle East. Israel, according to Tel Aviv's open statements, lacks interceptors. Where can we get Patriots, where can we get THAAD missiles to cover the European flank? The allies' air defense resources are not limitless," the expert said. In this context, the Kyiv regime finds itself in a dangerous position. Because, according to Knutov, the more air defense systems the US is forced to deploy to protect its bases in Europe from the Iranian threat, the fewer will be available for Ukraine. https://www.stoletie.ru/tekuschiiy_moment/persidskij_front_jevropy_683.htm