Terrorism
Iranian regime nuclear moves put US base in crosshairs
Tehran threatens Diego Garcia base, claiming it lies within range of its missiles and drones, as it continues to block global nuclear inspectors.
![An aerial view of Diego Garcia, home to a US-UK joint military base, located over 1,000 miles south of India in the remote Indian Ocean. [US Air Force]](/gc3/images/2025/04/07/49893-diego_garcia-370_237.webp)
By Fariba Raad |
The Iranian regime has escalated its confrontation with the West by adding US military bases to its target list while continuing to block international inspectors from monitoring its uranium enrichment program.
Iranian military commanders have been urged to launch preemptive strikes on Diego Garcia, a joint UK-US base in the Indian Ocean housing strategic bombers, a senior Iranian official told The Telegraph on March 31.
Through its state media outlet Press TV, the Iranian regime detailed alleged vulnerabilities at the base's naval facilities and bomber deployments, claiming it lies within range of Iranian missiles and drones.
The escalation comes as Tehran refuses to engage in substantive discussions about its nuclear program, despite diplomatic overtures from the United States and European countries, and to obstruct monitoring of its nuclear program.
In 2023, International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors detected uranium particles enriched to 83.7% -- -- close to the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons production -- at the Fordow facility near Tehran.
Iranian leader Ali Khamenei has dismissed direct talks with Washington, falling back on well-worn rhetoric about "deceptive ploys aimed at dominating Iran rather than resolving disputes," as quoted in state media.
Missiles before power
Adding to regional and international tensions, the Iranian regime recently imported 1,000 metric tons of missile propellent ingredients from China.
When converted to ammonium perchlorate, the imported sodium perchlorate is enough to produce at least 260 Kheibar Shekan or 200 Haj Qassem mid-range missiles, the Financial Times reported.
This acquisition suggests Tehran is both replenishing stockpiles damaged by Israeli strikes in October 2024 and preparing for future confrontations.
Meanwhile, Iran's domestic energy crisis continues to worsen, driven by systemic corruption and resource mismanagement, analysts say.
Despite substantial oil and gas reserves, the country faces chronic energy shortages, in large part due to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) diverting resources to military projects and regional proxies.
"The operational Bushehr [nuclear power] plant and planned expansions aim to diversify supply, but funding gaps, technical limitations and sanctions hinder progress," Umud Shokri, an expert on Iran's energy sector, told Pishtaz.
"Even if fully realized, nuclear projects would only marginally reduce the 12,000 MW electricity deficit caused by aging thermal plants and growing demand."
"A new nuclear agreement could temporarily mitigate but not eliminate Iran's nuclear threats, given its history of advancing capabilities despite international accords and intelligence reports suggesting it is exploring rapid nuclear weapon designs," Shokri said.
"Past agreements included sunset clauses that permitted enrichment expansion over time, and the Islamic Republic's history of covert procurement further underscores persistent proliferation risks," he added.
Yes, absolutely correct. Iran must have nuclear weapons. Why is America afraid of North Korea? Why? Israel must have atomic energy to put pressure on the whole region and to commit any crime it wants. As a patriotic Iranian, we must have atomic energy to preserve and survive a powerful Iran so that the powers can sit in their places and even help our allies to obtain them. Long live Iran.
Very good.
Agree
It was relatively good, but how can someone preemptively attack Diego Garcia Island with missiles for a full-scale war? By God, by God, by God, we can't even fire a single bullet at Garcia. Don't they have air defenses? We should discuss the realities of war. If we do, where are we going to go next? Is it that the only base ... The proxies have been completely eliminated. Russia, which has been left to itself, is a spitting image and a phony support. Even inside Syria, when the IRGC base moved towards Latakia, which was next to the Russian base, an Israeli fighter jet came and went, but the Russian air defenses were silent before it... In general, Mr. Khamenei was fooled by the IRGC. Of course (not all of them), they have been financially abusing him for several years, plundering all the country's wealth. Our general infrastructure mostly dates back to the Shah's time. It is worn out and out of order, and the rest of the infrastructure has not been working for 40 years... All our valuable generals have been sold. Where are you, Martyr Soleimani, so that you can see who has replaced you? I miss you so much. In your absence and after your death, they literally plundered the region ... And they are sitting on the verge of dividing our beloved Iran... Salute to the martyrs of the 8-year unequal war against the Arab beasts.
So great. Iran is my homeland.
Iran is my home.
We don't really need nuclear weapons for destruction. It would be nice if the whole world could live in peace and tranquility, hoping for such a day.
First, the international system and America's supporters should have adhered to this agreement when a global agreement was made with the presence of the major powers, which they did not adhere to and did not support their treaty because America tore it up and did not accept the agreement. America's puppets follow blindly and that’s it.
America cannot be trusted. Iran is a country that can overcome all problems. It will not be long before this country becomes a model both in terms of economy, science and technology and in terms of international relations.
Good
First, Iran is a member of the NPT and cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency on a permanent, rotational, and sudden basis. Second, all of Iran's activities are under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and operate within the framework of the agency. In general, everything you wrote is not biased or impartial. Although I do not agree with the regime, I do not like other countries to keep us away from up-to-date science and technology. The only problem with this system is interference, division, and the waste of the country's capital and spending it on the internal affairs of other countries. In addition, if this 46-year-old Iranian policy were correct, not only would Israel not have an excuse to destroy the Palestinians, but the United States would not have been able to sell weapons to these Arabs under the shadow of Iran.
Good