Early Saturday, reports emerged of major blasts rocking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israel that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Loud Blasts and Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were seen rising over the centre and east of the city.
“The type of these blasts suggests that this is a missile attack,” a media outlet stated, without immediately provide additional information.
Background: Rising Tensions and Recent Events
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Key developments preceding this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of American warships in the Middle East, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with indications of further discussions planned.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a prominent American figure had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued threats regarding its weapons development.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of roughly two weeks had been presented to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or confront severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian officials had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected assertions about weapons development and casualty figures as unfounded.
These developments is fast-moving, with further updates anticipated as the situation develops.
