In the early hours of Saturday morning, reports emerged of major explosions shaking Tehran, following claims from Israeli officials that it had conducted a preemptive military action.
Loud Blasts and Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
As per on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The type of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” a media outlet reported, without initially provide additional information.
Context: Rising Strains and Prior Developments
The incident takes place against a background of sharply increased strains in the Middle East. Major developments preceding this attack involve:
- American Naval Deployment: A massive buildup of American warships in the region, including the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks planned.
- Public Statements: Prior to the attack, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered warnings regarding its weapons development.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
In response to prior accusations, Iranian officials had accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about missile development and casualty figures as unfounded.
These developments remains fast-moving, with additional reports expected as events unfold.
