In the early hours of Saturday morning, reports emerged of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive strike.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Reported in the Heart of Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were observed rising over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without immediately offer additional information.
Context: Rising Strains and Prior Developments
The incident takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the region. Key events preceding this strike include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive buildup of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Recent talks between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with indications of further talks planned.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the attack, a prominent American figure had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued warnings regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or confront severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation is fluid, with further updates anticipated as the situation develops.
