Early Saturday morning, reports emerged of major explosions shaking Tehran, amid claims from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday morning. Correspondingly, two plumes of thick smoke were observed billowing over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” a media outlet stated, without initially provide additional information.
Background: Escalating Tensions and Recent Events
The incident takes place against a background of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Major events preceding this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of American warships in the region, including the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Recent discussions between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks planned.
- Official Rhetoric: Prior to the attack, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued threats regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to prior accusations, Iranian officials had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected assertions about weapons development and protest deaths as unfounded.
The situation remains fluid, with additional reports expected as events unfold.
