In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, amid claims from Israel that it had conducted a preemptive military action.
Loud Blasts and Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
As per on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were seen billowing over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The type of explosions indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, though it did not initially offer further details.
Context: Rising Tensions and Prior Developments
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Key developments preceding this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A significant buildup of US naval forces in the region, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with indications of further talks planned.
- Public Statements: Prior to the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued warnings regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had charged the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its missiles programme. Officials dismissed assertions about weapons development and protest deaths as baseless.
These developments remains fluid, with additional reports expected as the situation develops.
