Early Saturday morning, reports emerged of major blasts rocking the Iranian capital, amid statements from Israel that it had carried out a preventative military action.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were audible in the city on Saturday. Simultaneously, two plumes of dense smoke were seen billowing over the centre and east of the city.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” a media outlet stated, without immediately offer further details.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Recent Events
This event occurs against a background of sharply increased tensions in the Middle East. Key developments preceding this attack involve:
- US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of US naval forces in the Middle East, including the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest discussions between the US and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of further talks planned.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued threats regarding its weapons development.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the atomic standoff or confront serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about missile development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation remains fluid, with additional reports anticipated as the situation develops.
