In an effort to ease growing concerns, a Cabinet minister addressed fears regarding Iran’s potential to strike the UK with long-range missiles. Steve Reed, the Communities Secretary, reassured the public that the government is fully equipped to protect the nation, despite evidence suggesting that Tehran’s ballistic missiles can now travel much farther than previously assessed.

Reed sought to calm anxieties amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing there is no immediate need for fuel rationing, though he acknowledged that contingency plans are in place should the situation worsen.

His call for reassurance followed a recent incident where Iran launched missiles targeting Diego Garcia, a strategic joint US-UK base located in the Indian Ocean. Although the missiles did not reach their intended target, they demonstrated a capability to travel 2,360 miles—surpassing the earlier estimated maximum range of 1,240 miles.

The implications of this development are significant, as highlighted by Israel, which noted that major cities such as Paris, at a distance of 2,609 miles, and London, 2,750 miles away, could now be within Iran’s missile range. Concerns are further heightened by Iran’s possible use of its Simorgh space launch technology, which could potentially increase the reach of its missile arsenal even further.

Although neither missile hit the target, the distance of 2,360 miles was well beyond the 1,240 miles that had been regarded as the outer limit of the regime’s reach.

Israel pointed out that Paris, 2,609 miles away, and even London – 2,750 miles – are potentially within Iran’s range. Some strategists fear the country can use its Simorgh space launch technology to extend its reach. 

In a ballistic attack, defence experts say Britain would be forced to rely on American SM-3 defence systems stationed across Eastern Europe, or the Patriot missiles used by the Germans, to intercept rockets. 

As the global chaos continued today:

• Donald Trump has threatened to devastate Iran’s civil power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened by tomorrow;
• The boss of Centrica said higher energy prices could be ‘inescapable’ unless the turmoil eases soon; 
• Fears have been raised of more tax rises with the IFS think-tank suggesting Rachel Reeves could face a £20billion shortfall in the public finances.  

Steve Reed insisted the government is ‘perfectly capable’ of defending the country, following signs Tehran can fire ballistic missiles much further than previously believed

An aerial view of Diego Garcia, which faced an attempted rocket attack this weekend

Donald Trump has threatened to launch strikes on Iran’s civil power plants in the latest escalation of the conflict

The attempted strike on Diego Garcia came as Keir Starmer extended permission for the US to use British bases to launch attacks on the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping from Iranian assaults. 

In broadcast interviews this morning, Mr Reed confirmed that one missile had fallen short of Diego Garcia, while the other had been intercepted. 

He told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: ‘There is no specific assessment that the Iranians are targeting the UK or even could, if they wanted to.

‘We have the finest military in the world. We are perfectly capable of protecting this country.’

Mr Reed said Israel’s statement about European capitals being in range was ‘conditional’, adding ‘there is no assessment to substantiate what’s being said’.

The minister was also grilled on the possibility of fuel rationing, with the Strait of Hormuz still blocked and no sign of the conflict ending soon.

Mr Reed insisted there was no requirement for rationing ‘as it stands’, but stressed there is ‘always a contingency plan’.

‘There’s no need to ration fuel. People should go around and buy their fuel just like they always would,’ he told Sky News.

‘If the situation were to change, then the Government would look at what was required in that circumstance.

‘We did intervene when it came to heating oil, because we saw the prices escalating and people were seeing their bills doubling and tripling overnight. We can’t have that, so we stepped in to support people.’

Government sources said the attack on Diego Garcia happened before an official statement revealing the US military would be allowed to use the base for strikes aimed at reopening the Strait.

Donald Trump has announced that he will hit civil power generation facilities in Iran as soon as tomorrow unless the critical channel – which carries around a fifth of global oil supplies – is opened. That is a tactic that Britain and other Western countries have condemned Russia for using against Ukraine.  

IDF chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir said last night: ‘Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000km towards an American target on the island of Diego Garcia.

‘The missiles were not intended to hit Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe. Berlin, Paris and Rome are all within direct threat range.’ 

The IDF later added that London is also in range.

A Khorramshahr-4 missile is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran

Economists have estimated the ‘Trumpflation’ shock from the Iran war could leave the Chancellor scrambling to fill a £20billion shortfall in the public finances. 

Higher inflation from soaring oil and gas prices will mean bigger public sector pay settlements, extra welfare spending and increased borrowing costs for the government.

With the crucial Strait of Hormuz still shut and the conflict showing no sign of easing, Ms Reeves is coming under pressure to put together an energy bills bailout for desperate households when the cap changes again in July.

But doubts have been raised over how she can find the money to help families with their soaring costs.