Mauritius Condemns Missile Strikes Near Diego Garcia, Calls for Peace

Mauritius has condemned the firing of two ballistic missiles near the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Archipelago, calling it a serious violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and security. While the UK said one missile fell short and another was intercepted, Iran dismissed the claims as disinformation. Mauritius urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, commended diplomatic efforts by Gulf Cooperation Council members, and stressed that any resolution must respect the UN Charter and state sovereignty. The incident drew attention due to the base’s distance from Iran and its strategic US-UK military significance.

Mauritius has strongly condemned the firing of two ballistic missiles targeting the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Archipelago, describing the act as a serious violation of international law. In a statement issued from Port Louis, the government confirmed that the missiles were launched between Thursday night and Friday morning, calling the action a threat to peace, security, and stability in the Indian Ocean region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the escalation of military activity in the area undermines the safety of the surrounding nations and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities, highlighting the importance of maintaining global peace and stability.
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, has been home to a joint US-UK military presence since the 1970s. The base serves as a strategic hub for long-range bombers and other critical military assets, and is one of two bases that the United Kingdom has authorised the United States to use as part of its ongoing military campaign against Iran. UK Minister Steve Reed stated on Sunday that one of the missiles launched by Iran targeting the base “fell short,” while the other was successfully intercepted.
However, Iran dismissed these claims on Monday as an “Israeli false flag,” with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei asserting that the accusations were not credible and reflected a deliberate campaign of disinformation. Mauritius did not explicitly name Iran in its statement but commended ongoing diplomatic efforts by members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other partners in the Middle East to ease tensions and promote dialogue.
The Mauritian government reiterated that any resolution to the situation must adhere to the principles of the United Nations Charter and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. The incident has drawn particular attention due to the distance involved: Diego Garcia lies approximately 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) from Iran, double the 2,000-kilometer range previously stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as a limit for Tehran’s missile capabilities. The event has raised concerns among regional and global observers about escalating tensions and the potential for further destabilization in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius’s statement reflects a broader call for restraint, dialogue, and adherence to international norms, emphasizing that diplomatic engagement, rather than military confrontation, remains the path toward lasting peace in the region.