In the early hours of Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, amid claims from Israel that it had conducted a preemptive strike.
Powerful Explosions and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
As per on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” a media outlet stated, though it did not initially offer further details.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Prior Events
The incident occurs against a background of sharply increased tensions in the region. Key developments leading up to this attack involve:
- US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of American warships in the region, including the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Latest talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with suggestions of more talks scheduled.
- Public Statements: Before the strike, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered warnings regarding its missile program.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face severe consequences.
Reaction from Tehran
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
These developments remains fast-moving, with additional reports anticipated as the situation develops.
