In the early hours of Saturday, reports emerged of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, amid statements from Israeli officials that it had conducted a preemptive military action.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in the city on Saturday. Correspondingly, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The type of explosions indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency reported, without immediately provide further details.
Context: Rising Tensions and Recent Events
This event takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated strains in the Middle East. Major events leading up to this strike involve:
- US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of American warships in the region, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent discussions between the United States and Iranian officials on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more discussions scheduled.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued warnings regarding its missile program.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a deadline of roughly two weeks had been presented to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its defensive capabilities. They rejected assertions about missile development and casualty figures as unfounded.
These developments remains fluid, with further updates anticipated as events unfold.
