Under the “watchful and ever vigilant”, sarcasm alert, eye of the international community, Iran has far surpassed what all the experts declared they were capable of doing.  The launch toward Diego Garcia was telling.  The International Atomic Energy Commission, UN, fleckless and worthless diplomats and Presidents declared Iran was not a threat.  Let’s play nice with them and they won’t bother us, wrong!!  Or as Obama did let’s send them pallets of money. After all, bribery is done best under democratic administrations.  This  group of despots and thugs are out to take over.  Their very ideological view is Jihad, struggle and kill the infidel, namely anyone who doesn’t agree with the view on the world.  Iran has practiced the art of delay and compromise all the while spending billions on terror group proxies and underground missile production.  Rh

If the Diego Garcia strike report is accurate, then one of the central assumptions about Iran’s missile program has just collapsed. For years, the accepted ceiling was around 2,000 kilometers. A ballistic missile reaching Diego Garcia suggests something in the neighborhood of 4,000 kilometers, which pushes it out of the medium-range category and into the intermediate-range class (IRBM). That is a strategic leap.

The real story is not whether the missile was intercepted. It is that Iran may have demonstrated reach far beyond what much of the world believed it possessed. A 4,000-kilometer capability changes the map. Major European capitals begin to enter the conversation. Paris comes into range. London moves much closer to the edge of vulnerability depending on launch point and payload. This would mean the missile threat is no longer confined to the Gulf, Israel, or parts of South Asia. It would mean the radius of deterrence, defense, and fear has expanded dramatically. If confirmed, Diego Garcia was not just a target. It was a message.

Iranian sources claim they launched two missiles toward Diego Garcia – at a distance of roughly 4,000 km. Assuming these reports are accurate, several conclusions can be drawn:

1 – The launch is largely a message to Europe: “Almost your entire continent is within range of our missiles – including Western Europe.”

This comes after several European countries signaled willingness to send naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz – though no final decision has been made.

2 – The Iranians are likely closer than previously assessed to achieving an ICBM capability – a long-range ballistic missile that could threaten the U.S. East Coast and major population centers such as New York, Washington, and Boston.

This was a central factor in Trump’s decision to enter the campaign – and it has now been reinforced.

3 – Iran’s capability at these ranges remains limited – no missile hit its target.

According to the Wall Street Journal, one failed and fell short, while another triggered the launch of an SM-3 interceptor from a U.S. destroyer. It is still unclear whether the interception was successful or if that missile also failed independently.

4 – It is possible Iran used Khorramshahr-4 missiles with a reduced warhead to extend range – lowering payload weight and increasing fuel capacity.

The original warhead of the Khorramshahr is very large – around 1,500 kg – allowing significant flexibility in weight-range tradeoffs.

This is one of Iran’s most advanced missile systems – though they are believed to possess only a limited number.

Earlier this week, a Khorramshahr missile was launched toward Israel for the first time in the current campaign.

Update

Europe is STUNNED after realizing Trump was right, many of their capital cities may be in range of Iranian ballistic missiles after they targeted Diego Garcia

Cities that could be at risk include

– London

– Berlin

– Paris

– Munich

– Rome

– Oslo

I am sure congratulations will be forthcoming from the European Union.