Early Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major explosions shaking the Iranian capital, amid claims from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in the Heart of Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in the city on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were observed rising over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The nature of explosions suggests that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency stated, without immediately provide further details.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Prior Events
The incident takes place against a background of severely escalated tensions in the region. Major events leading up to this strike include:
- American Naval Deployment: A massive build-up of US naval forces in the region, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more discussions scheduled.
- Public Statements: Prior to the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued warnings regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
In response to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had charged the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed assertions about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation remains fast-moving, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
