Early Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major blasts shaking Tehran, amid statements from Israel that it had carried out a preventative strike.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The type of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without immediately provide further details.
Context: Escalating Strains and Prior Events
The incident occurs against a background of sharply increased tensions in the region. Major events leading up to this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive buildup of US naval forces in the region, featuring the movement of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Latest talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with indications of more discussions scheduled.
- Official Rhetoric: Prior to the attack, a senior US official had labeled Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and issued threats regarding its weapons development.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to settle the atomic standoff or confront severe consequences.
Reaction from Tehran
In response to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. Officials rejected assertions about weapons development and protest deaths as baseless.
The situation remains fluid, with further updates anticipated as events unfold.
