Missile Range Concerns Grow in Europe as Iran Launches Attack on Israel’s Top Secret Nuclear Facility in Negev Desert

(DIMONA, ISRAEL) – Iranian ballistic missiles struck the southern Israeli town of Dimona, close to the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Centre, as the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States entered its fourth week with continued escalation across the region.

Around 100 people were reported injured after missiles hit residential buildings in Dimona. There were unconfirmed reports of fatalities. Additional injuries and deaths were reported in the nearby city of Arad.

Iran said the strike was in retaliation for an earlier Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities at Natanz. Iranian officials said there had been no radioactive leakage following that strike.

Iran’s state news agency said the attack sent a clear message that no area was beyond reach and warned that further escalation could follow unless its demands were met.

The attack on Dimona was part of a wider series of strikes. Iranian missiles were also launched towards the joint United States United Kingdom base at Diego Garcia, about 3,700 kilometres from Iran. Neither missile hit the target. One was intercepted and the other failed before reaching the island. The range involved exceeds previous assessments of Iran’s missile capabilities.

Israeli sources said Iran had launched a two stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of about 4,000 kilometres, potentially placing parts of Europe within reach. Analysts said this would significantly expand the strategic implications of the conflict and complicate missile defence planning.

Military analysts said the scale and reach of Iran’s missile programme had long been debated, but recent events suggest a broader operational range than previously confirmed. They added that Iran retains the ability to surprise both the United States and Israel despite sustained strikes on its infrastructure.

The United States said it had destroyed key Iranian facilities, including underground sites and radar systems used to monitor shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said this had degraded Iran’s ability to threaten maritime routes.

Iran rejected those claims and said United States and Israeli strikes had targeted not only military sites but also infrastructure such as the port of Bushehr near key strategic locations.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most commercial shipping after nearly three weeks of disruption. About one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies and a third of fertiliser shipments typically pass through the route.

The disruption has had immediate economic consequences. The United Kingdom National Farmers Union warned that rising energy and transport costs would push up food prices. Farmers said fuel and gas costs, which account for a significant share of production expenses, had more than doubled in some cases.

Economists said higher food prices could drive inflation upwards. The Bank of England has warned that the conflict may delay expected declines in inflation and interest rates.

The mortgage market has already reacted. The average cost of fixed rate mortgages has increased, and more than 1,400 mortgage products have been withdrawn from the market, including about 700 following the Bank of England’s recent decision to hold interest rates.

The United Kingdom government is expected to hold an emergency meeting with cabinet members and the governor of the Bank of England to assess the impact of the conflict on household finances. Officials are expected to discuss energy price support, assistance for households and the broader economic outlook.

The foreign secretary said the impact on the cost of living is now the government’s main domestic concern and accused Iran of attempting to disrupt the global economy.

G7 foreign ministers called for an immediate end to Iranian strikes in the Gulf and said they were prepared to take measures to protect global energy supplies.

United Kingdom officials said they would support defensive operations to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf but ruled out direct offensive involvement.

Despite repeated statements from Donald Trump that Iran’s military capacity has been largely destroyed and that the conflict could soon end, ongoing attacks suggest no immediate de escalation.