Iran missiles strike southern Israel, remote U.S./U.K. military base

Iranian missiles struck two small cities near Israel’s main nuclear research center in the southern part of the country, shattering buildings and leaving more than 100 injured, at least seven of them seriously. Israel’s military attempted to intercept the strikes at the communities of Dimona and Arad but were unsuccessful.

The attack came hours Iran launched two intermediate-range missiles at the U.S.- and U.K.-operated Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, around 2,500 miles away from Iranian territory. Neither of the missiles hit any military assets. But it is believed to be the first known attempt to target the base, which was chosen because of its remote location thought to be beyond the reach of most adversaries. 

Both attacks took place on the three-week anniversary of the start of the Israeli and U.S. conflict against Iran.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said “we’re winning decisively and on our terms,” and that Iran had largely been degraded. Hegseth said the U.S.’s objectives in Iran remained to “destroy missiles, launchers, and Iran’s defense industrial base.”

Soon after Hegseth’s remarks, President Donald Trump said via social media that he believed the conflict was nearing its end. 

“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East,” the president wrote.