In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major blasts shaking the Iranian capital, amid statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preventative military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were heard in the city on Saturday. Simultaneously, two plumes of dense smoke were observed billowing over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The nature of these blasts indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency reported, though it did not initially provide additional information.
Background: Rising Strains and Prior Developments
The incident occurs against a background of sharply increased strains in the region. Key events leading up to this attack include:
- American Naval Deployment: A significant buildup of American warships in the Middle East, including the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent discussions between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme concluded without a deal, with indications of further talks planned.
- Public Statements: Prior to the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered warnings regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the atomic standoff or confront serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed assertions about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation is fast-moving, with further updates expected as the situation develops.