In the early hours of Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions shaking Tehran, following claims from Israel that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were audible in Tehran on Saturday morning. Correspondingly, two plumes of dense smoke were seen billowing over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The nature of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, though it did not immediately offer further details.
Background: Escalating Strains and Prior Events
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the region. Key developments preceding this attack include:
- American Naval Deployment: A massive buildup of American warships in the Middle East, including the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with suggestions of more talks scheduled.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the strike, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued warnings regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had charged the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed assertions about weapons development and protest deaths as unfounded.
These developments remains fast-moving, with additional reports anticipated as events unfold.
