Early Saturday morning, reports emerged of significant blasts shaking the Iranian capital, following claims from Israel that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Plumes of Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in Tehran on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The nature of these blasts indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency reported, though it did not initially offer further details.
Background: Rising Tensions and Recent Events
The incident occurs against a backdrop of sharply increased tensions in the region. Key events preceding this attack involve:
- US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of American warships in the Middle East, featuring the repositioning of carrier strike groups.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Recent talks between the United States and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with indications of further talks planned.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued warnings regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face severe consequences.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected assertions about missile development and casualty figures as unfounded.
The situation remains fast-moving, with additional reports expected as events unfold.
