In the early hours of Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking Tehran, following claims from Israeli officials that it had conducted a preventative military action.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in Tehran on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were seen billowing over the centre and east of the city.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without initially offer additional information.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Prior Events
This event takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated strains in the region. Key events preceding this attack involve:
- American Naval Deployment: A massive buildup of American warships in the Middle East, including the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Latest discussions between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks scheduled.
- Public Statements: Before the strike, 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 time limit of roughly two weeks had been presented to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or confront serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. Officials rejected assertions about missile development and protest deaths as unfounded.
These developments remains fast-moving, with further updates expected as events unfold.
