Early Saturday, reports emerged of major blasts shaking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, columns of thick smoke were seen billowing over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The type of these blasts suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without immediately offer further details.
Background: Rising Strains and Prior Developments
The incident takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the region. Key events leading up to this attack involve:
- US Military Buildup: A significant buildup of American warships in the region, featuring the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest discussions between the United States and Iran on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks planned.
- Public Statements: Before the strike, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued warnings regarding its missile program.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a time limit of roughly two weeks had been presented to Iran to settle the atomic standoff or face serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had charged the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. Officials dismissed assertions about missile development and protest deaths as baseless.
These developments remains fast-moving, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
