In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major blasts shaking Tehran, amid statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
As per on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were audible in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were seen billowing over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, though it did not immediately offer additional information.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Prior Developments
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severely escalated strains in the region. Major events preceding this strike involve:
- American Naval Deployment: A significant buildup of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Latest discussions between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme concluded without a deal, with suggestions of more discussions scheduled.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the strike, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered threats regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
In response to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had charged the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected claims about weapons development and protest deaths as baseless.
These developments remains fast-moving, with additional reports expected as the situation develops.
