Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia, a base in the Indian Ocean operated by the US and UK, last Friday night, according to multiple reports. One missile failed in flight, and the other was intercepted by a US warship, sources said. This incident underscores growing tensions, with the Israeli Defense Forces stating on Saturday that Iran possesses long-range missiles capable of reaching around 4,000km, including to London, Paris, or Berlin. Experts warn that if the SS Richard Montgomery is targeted by drones and its masts topple onto the explosives, it could cause a catastrophic explosion, though specific evidence or intelligence suggesting Iran is planning such an attack remains unclear.
The SS Richard Montgomery is a World War II shipwreck lying at the bottom of the Thames loaded with 1,400 tonnes of explosives, major media reports indicate. It sank in 1944 after running aground on a sandbank near Sheerness, Kent, while carrying munitions. A major salvage operation was launched after the sinking, but not all munitions could be retrieved before the ship cracked and sank. The ship's cargo includes general purpose bombs, white phosphorous bombs, fragmentation bombs, cluster munitions, and bombs as large as 1,000lb and 500lb, according to these reports.
In a catastrophic explosion scenario, debris could be hurled up to 1.8 miles into the air, damaging buildings for miles around, experts say. Sheerness, with a population of around 13,000, would be leveled, and survivors could face a tsunami with waves 30ft to 40ft high, multiple reports indicate.
The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.
Regional impacts would extend far beyond Sheerness, with a smaller tsunami potentially barreling up the Thames towards London, destroying everything in its path. Parts of North Kent and South Essex would be decimated by rapid flooding, and Britain's largest liquefied natural gas terminal on the Isle of Grain would be lost under water, according to major media.
Iran's long-range missile capabilities, as confirmed by the IDF, present a strategic threat assessment that includes potential targets in Europe. The likelihood of an Iranian drone attack on the UK and the timeframe for such a threat are unknown, complicating security planning.
Security concerns persist regarding protection measures for the shipwreck. Contingency plans for evacuation or disaster response in the event of an explosion have not been detailed publicly, leaving gaps in preparedness. What security measures are currently in place to protect the SS Richard Montgomery from potential attacks is not specified in available reports, adding to uncertainties.