Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Iran’s ballistic missiles can reach London and other European capitals, citing recent failed Iranian missile tests that demonstrated a previously undisclosed range capability.
Hegseth’s comments came after Iran launched two missiles at a target 4,000 kilometers away, with the UK government confirming both strikes missed. The Pentagon official said Iran had long claimed its missiles could only reach 2,000 kilometers, making the expanded range a significant concern for Western allies.
What Hegseth Said
“Two days ago they shot two failed missiles on a target 4,000km away,” Hegseth stated. “For years, they told the world that their missiles could only range [2,000] kilometres. Surprise. Yet again, Iran lied.”
He pointed out that London sits approximately 4,000 kilometers from Iran and Washington DC is 3,300 kilometers from Venezuela, which he said has maintained ties with Tehran. “So you’re telling us that Iran is not a threat to the world or to the US? President Trump knows better,” Hegseth said.
Nuclear Tensions Escalate
This week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered that the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium remain within Iranian borders. The directive directly contradicts a key Trump administration demand in ongoing negotiations.
Israeli officials told Reuters that President Trump had previously assured Israel that Iran would completely remove its enriched uranium inventory from the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated he will not end military operations until uranium is removed, Iran stops funding regional militias, and its ballistic missile infrastructure is dismantled.
Two Iranian sources speaking anonymously said Iran’s leadership views uranium removal as a security risk. “The Supreme Leader’s directive and the consensus within the establishment, is that the stockpile of enriched uranium should not leave the country,” one official said.
Diplomatic Stalemate
The missile dispute occurs against a fragile ceasefire that began April 8, following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in February. Cross-border fighting between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon has also complicated negotiations.
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, is offset by a US naval blockade on Iranian shipping. Pakistan is currently mediating discussions between the parties, with some observers noting potential progress.