Early Saturday morning, reports emerged of major explosions rocking Tehran, amid claims from Israel that it had conducted a preventative strike.
Loud Blasts and Smoke Witnessed in the Heart of Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in the city on Saturday morning. Correspondingly, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The type of explosions indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, though it did not immediately provide additional information.
Background: Rising Strains and Prior Events
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Major developments leading up to this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A significant buildup of American warships in the Middle East, including the repositioning of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks planned.
- Public Statements: Before the strike, a prominent American figure had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered threats regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Allegedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its defensive capabilities. They dismissed claims about missile development and protest deaths as unfounded.
These developments remains fast-moving, with further updates anticipated as the situation develops.
