In the early hours of Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, following claims from Israel that it had carried out a preemptive strike.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were heard in the city on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of dense smoke were seen billowing over the centre and east of the city.
“The nature of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” a media outlet stated, without initially provide further details.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Prior Events
This event occurs against a backdrop of sharply increased strains in the Middle East. Key events preceding this strike include:
- US Military Buildup: A significant buildup of American warships in the region, including the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with suggestions of further discussions scheduled.
- Official Rhetoric: Prior to the strike, a prominent American figure had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered threats regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or confront serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to prior accusations, Iranian officials had charged the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed assertions about missile development and casualty figures as unfounded.
These developments is fluid, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
