War Secretary Hegseth Warns Iran Has Missiles That Can Strike London…
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran possesses ballistic missiles capable of reaching London and other European capitals, revealing a significant expansion of Tehran’s previously disclosed weapons range.
Hegseth made the statement after Iran conducted missile tests targeting a location 4,000 kilometers away, with the UK government confirming both strikes missed their intended target. The Pentagon official said Iran had for years claimed its missiles could only reach 2,000 kilometers, making the expanded capability a notable shift in the regional security landscape.
“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 highlighted that London sits approximately 4,000 kilometers from Iran and noted that Washington DC is 3,300 kilometers from Venezuela, which maintains relations 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. His comments underscored the Trump administration’s concerns about Iranian military capabilities and regional intentions.
This week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the country’s enriched uranium stockpile to remain within Iranian borders. The directive directly contradicts a key Trump administration demand in ongoing diplomatic talks.
Israeli officials told Reuters that Trump had previously assured Israel that Iran would fully remove its enriched uranium from the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he will not end military operations until uranium is removed, Iran halts funding to regional militias, and its ballistic missile infrastructure is dismantled.
Two Iranian officials speaking anonymously said Iran’s leadership views uranium removal as presenting security risks. “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.
The missile dispute occurs within 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 further complicated ongoing negotiations.
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route, remains a central leverage point in discussions. Pakistan is currently mediating between the parties, with some analysts identifying potential openings for diplomatic progress.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.