Early Saturday, reports emerged of major blasts shaking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israel that it had conducted 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. Simultaneously, columns of thick smoke were observed rising over the centre and east of the city.
“The nature of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without initially offer further details.
Background: Rising Strains and Prior Events
The incident occurs against a backdrop of sharply increased tensions in the Middle East. Key events preceding this strike include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive buildup of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the repositioning of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent talks between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with suggestions of further discussions planned.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered warnings regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to prior accusations, Iranian officials had accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected assertions about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation is fluid, with further updates anticipated as the situation develops.
