The United States has issued a serious warning that Iran could potentially target London with its long-range missiles, as President Donald Trump has publicly criticised the UK’s response to Tehran.
On Friday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth highlighted recent Iranian missile tests, stating that the regime launched two missiles at a target located 4,000 km (approximately 2,485 miles) away—about the distance from Iran to London.
“Two days ago, they launched two failed missiles at a target 4,000 km away. For years, they claimed their missiles had a range of only 2 km. Once again, Iran has lied,” Hegseth said.
“And to the world, I say, London is only 4,000 km from Iran. You’re telling us that Iran is not a threat? President Trump knows better.”
This warning comes after Iran’s recent attempt to strike the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands. UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that one missile was intercepted, while the other failed but still travelled approximately 3,000 km (about 1,864 miles) from its launch site.
Experts note that, under certain conditions, Iran’s missiles could theoretically reach London. Sidharth Kaushal, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told the BBC, “It’s conceivable that a rocket could reach London. Missile range is flexible; if you use a lighter warhead, you can extend its range.”
However, analysts caution that such missiles would be limited in number, likely armed with conventional warheads, and would face heavily defended European airspace. Kaushal added, “They are quite inaccurate at very long ranges.”
Research analyst Decker Eveleth of the CNA Corporation said “it’s true” that an Iranian missile could reach London, and the risk “is pretty low”.
He said: “It’s true that a missile can reach London. It is not going to be particularly aimable. I would say the level of risk to London is pretty low.”
The Defence Secretary has confirmed this week that there is currently no intelligence indicating that Iran intends to target London or any part of the UK, despite warnings from some US officials.
He emphasised that British and NATO forces are prepared to defend the country and its allies, but there is no specific assessment suggesting a potential Iranian attack on the UK.
However, the UK lacks independent long-range ballistic missile defence systems capable of intercepting missiles aimed at the mainland. Instead, Britain relies on its NATO allies, particularly the United States, for protection, utilising early-warning systems, tracking satellites, and allied interceptor capabilities.
While Iranian missiles could theoretically reach the UK, experts note that any defence would depend on coordination among allies, highlighting a strategic vulnerability even in the absence of an immediate threat.
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