War Secretary Hegseth Warns Iran Has Missiles That Can Strike London
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is sounding the alarm over Iran’s expanding missile capabilities, warning that the regime’s growing reach poses a direct threat not only to American interests but to key Western allies—including the United Kingdom.
Speaking during a White House Cabinet meeting alongside President Donald J. Trump, Hegseth pointed to a recent attempted strike that underscores the seriousness of the threat. According to officials, Iran launched two missiles toward a joint U.S.-UK military installation on Diego Garcia, a remote but strategically critical base in the Indian Ocean located roughly 4,000 kilometers from Iranian territory.
Although both missiles ultimately failed to hit their intended target, the implications are significant. The incident appears to confirm long-standing concerns that Tehran’s missile program has quietly exceeded previously acknowledged limits—raising new questions about Europe’s vulnerability.
“Two days ago they [Iran] shot two failed missiles on a target 4,000km away. For years, they told the world that their missiles could only range [2,000] kilometres. Surprise. Yet again, Iran lie,” Hegseth said.
He continued with a stark warning aimed at both policymakers and the public: “And to the world. I say London is 4,000km from Iran. Washington DC is 3,300km from Venezuela, another country President Trump did something about, which partnered for a long time with Iran. So you’re telling us that Iran is not a threat to the world or to the US? President Trump knows better.”
The comments align with broader concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program, which U.S. officials have repeatedly identified as a central pillar of the regime’s military strategy. Defense leaders have emphasized that neutralizing Iran’s missile infrastructure remains a top objective in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, diplomatic maneuvering continues behind the scenes as international players explore potential off-ramps to de-escalate the conflict.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signaled that Islamabad is prepared to act as a mediator, stating his government is ready to “facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks” aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East.
Sources indicate that Pakistan is being considered as a possible venue for negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with Vice President JD Vance reportedly floated as a potential lead negotiator for the United States.
However, early signs suggest deep mistrust remains a major obstacle. Iranian officials have reportedly rejected the involvement of Trump allies such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both of whom played key roles in previous diplomatic efforts.
On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been mentioned as a possible representative, though he has publicly dismissed reports of imminent talks as “fake news.”
Despite the uncertainty, Pakistan’s military leadership—under Army Chief Asim Munir—has reportedly taken an active role in facilitating dialogue. The White House confirmed that Munir recently discussed the situation directly with President Trump.
Sharif also held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with both sides agreeing on what officials described as the “urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.”
Still, skepticism persists within Tehran. An Iranian diplomatic source claimed the regime has “zero trust” in Washington, particularly following earlier nuclear negotiations that collapsed as military operations escalated.
“If the negotiations are going to have any outcome, JD Vance should join,” the source said. “With Witkoff and Kushner, nothing will come out of it. We have seen that in the past.”
As President Trump continues to pursue a strategy centered on strength and deterrence, the unfolding situation highlights a dual-track approach: confronting Iran’s military capabilities while leaving the door open—however cautiously—for diplomacy.