Why Diego Garcia Could Be Key to US Strikes on Iran

President Trump has given Iran two stark options: strike a nuclear deal or face military action launched from a remote but strategically vital base in the heart of the Indian Ocean—Diego Garcia.

This joint US-British military installation, established in 1971, has quietly become one of America’s most critical launch points for operations in the Middle East.

Covering 44 of the island’s 60 square kilometers, the base hosts B-2 stealth bombers, aerial refueling aircraft, surveillance planes, and provides direct support to naval fleets.

Its location is strategically unmatched: Diego Garcia overlooks the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Australia, and sits within striking distance of the world’s most vital maritime choke points—the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Strait of Malacca.

As tensions with Iran escalate, this tiny island has emerged as the likely launch pad for any major US military action, placing it at the center of a potential conflict that could reshape the entire region.