The ongoing war between Iran and United States has expanded into the Indian Ocean, following two separate and significant military engagements. Missile Strikes Target Diego GarciaAccording to a report in the Wall Street Journal citing US officials, Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. Previous Indian Ocean EngagementsThis incident follows an earlier confrontation in the Indian Ocean, in which a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena south of Sri Lanka, killing over 85 personnel. Strategic Significance of Diego GarciaThe Diego Garcia base has historically served as a staging area for US bombing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. While Britain has agreed to return sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, it retains a lease on Diego Garcia.

Source: dna March 21, 2026 05:27 UTC