The Iranian regime is likely trying to cobble together a missile capable of striking a city in Europe which could spark World War III. A major strike on a city in the West could trigger more nations joining the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Other nations in the Middle East are already considering military action against Iran after it launched thousands of drone and missile attacks on neighbouring countries, following Israel’s and the US’s conflict on February 28. Overnight, Iran fired missiles towards a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean as it warned British lives are “in danger” after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes.

The two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were aimed at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands, around 2,300 miles from Iran, but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported. The missiles’ range will worry European leaders, as cities like Berlin, Rome, and Athens are within that range of Tehran.

London is also close to that range at around 2,700 miles. Speaking to the Sun, former US marine and missile specialist Jonathan Hackett said the “Khorramshahrs” intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) missiles fired at Diego Garcia were likely a sign Iran is trying to create a new missile to reach Europe.

He told the paper Iran could be successful “through a comedy of errors in hitting a European target”. He said the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force has modified some missiles “for distance and survivability beyond its initial production specifications”

He added: “The Khorramshahr, which these two IRBMs likely were, is advertised to travel a maximum of 2,000 km, while Diego Garcia is double that.”

Mr Hackett said the IRGC was working under the “high-pressure, compressed timeline situation of the war” and will have to find the personnel and expertise to develop missiles further.

Iran targeted the British-US base of Diego Garcia before ministers gave the US permission to strike missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz, it is understood. The Ministry of Defence condemned Iran’s latest attack.

A spokesperson said: “Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

“RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.

“This Government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.”

Downing Street said on Friday that UK bases will now be used for US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships”.