Iran fired two ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia – one of which failed and fell short, while the other was intercepted – overnight into Friday.
After news of the attempted attack emerged, the IDF said on Saturday that it had revealed last year that Tehran had intended to develop missiles capable of reaching Europe, Asia and Africa.
It added: “We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.”
Asked whether this was true, Reed insisted that there was “no specific assessment that the Iranians are targeting the UK or even could, if they wanted to”.
“We are perfectly capable of protecting this country and keeping this country safe, whether it’s here at home, or whether it’s our assets and nationals across the region,” he told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
Pressed again about the IDF’s comments, he said: “There is no assessment to substantiate what’s being said.”
Even if Iran were able to launch strikes at such a range, the British armed forces would be able to defend the UK, he said.
The longest-range weapon in Iran’s arsenal is thought to have a maximum range of 2,000km, far short of both Diego Garcia and London.
Reed’s Conservative counterpart Sir James Cleverly told the programme that Iran was deploying “very, very long-range missiles”, but would not be drawn on whether these were capable of hitting the UK as he was no longer privy to the intelligence reports he had received as foreign secretary.
Sir Richard Shirreff, a retired British Army general and former Nato commander, said Israel’s claims about Iranian capabilities should be taken “seriously, but as seriously as the potential for Russian missiles to come this way as well”.
“But I would also say that of course Israel is going to say this, because it is in Israel’s interest to broaden the war, to bring as many nations in on this war,” he told Broadcasting House on BBC Radio 4.