In the early hours of Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking Tehran, following claims from Israel that it had carried out a preventative military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were seen rising 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, though it did not immediately provide additional information.
Context: Rising Tensions and Prior Developments
The incident takes place against a backdrop of sharply increased tensions in the Middle East. Major developments preceding this attack involve:
- American Naval Deployment: A massive buildup of American warships in the Middle East, featuring the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Latest talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with indications of more discussions planned.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the attack, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued threats regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed assertions about weapons development and protest deaths as unfounded.
The situation is fluid, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
