In the early hours of Saturday, reports emerged of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israel that it had carried out a preemptive strike.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
According to on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, columns of thick smoke were observed 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, without initially provide additional information.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Recent Events
The incident occurs against a background of sharply increased tensions in the region. Key developments leading up to this attack involve:
- American Naval Deployment: A significant build-up of American warships in the region, including the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with suggestions of further discussions scheduled.
- 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.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had charged the United States of spreading “big lies” about its defensive capabilities. Officials rejected assertions about missile development and casualty figures as baseless.
These developments is fluid, with additional reports anticipated as events unfold.
