In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major explosions shaking Tehran, amid claims from Israel that it had carried out a preventative military action.
Loud Blasts and Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in Tehran on Saturday. Correspondingly, two plumes of thick smoke were seen billowing over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The type of these blasts suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, without immediately provide additional information.
Background: Escalating Tensions and Prior Developments
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the region. Key developments leading up to this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of American warships in the Middle East, including the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent talks between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with indications of more talks planned.
- Official Rhetoric: Prior to the attack, a prominent American figure had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued warnings regarding its missile program.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
Reacting to prior accusations, Iranian officials had accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. Officials dismissed assertions about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
These developments remains fast-moving, with additional reports anticipated as events unfold.
