In the early hours of Saturday morning, reports emerged of significant blasts rocking the Iranian capital, amid statements from Israel that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, two plumes of dense smoke were seen rising over the centre and east of the city.
“The nature of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” a media outlet reported, without immediately provide further details.
Background: Rising Tensions and Prior Events
The incident takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Major events preceding this attack involve:
- US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest discussions between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with suggestions of more talks planned.
- Official Rhetoric: 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: Reportedly, a deadline of roughly two weeks had been presented to Iran to settle the atomic standoff or face severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had accused the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about missile development and casualty figures as unfounded.
The situation is fast-moving, with further updates expected as events unfold.
