In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking Tehran, amid claims from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preventative military action.
Powerful Explosions and Plumes of Smoke Reported in the Heart of Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were seen rising over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The nature of explosions suggests that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency reported, though it did not initially provide additional information.
Context: Escalating Strains and Recent Events
The incident takes place against a background of sharply increased tensions in the Middle East. Major events preceding this strike involve:
- US Military Buildup: A massive buildup of American warships in the Middle East, featuring the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent discussions between the United States and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with indications of further discussions scheduled.
- Public Statements: Prior to the strike, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered warnings regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve 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 rejected claims about missile development and casualty figures as baseless.
These developments is fast-moving, with further updates anticipated as the situation develops.
