Early Saturday morning, reports emerged of major explosions shaking Tehran, amid claims from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive strike.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday. Correspondingly, two plumes of dense smoke were observed billowing over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The nature of these blasts suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, though it did not initially offer additional information.
Context: Rising Tensions and Prior Events
The incident occurs against a background of sharply increased tensions in the Middle East. Major events preceding this strike involve:
- US Military Buildup: A massive buildup of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Latest talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with suggestions of more discussions planned.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the strike, a prominent American figure had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued threats regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or confront severe consequences.
Reaction from Tehran
In response to prior accusations, Iranian officials had charged the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about weapons development and protest deaths as baseless.
The situation remains fast-moving, with further updates anticipated as the situation develops.
