Early Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major blasts rocking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israeli officials that it had conducted a preemptive strike.
Powerful Explosions and Plumes of Smoke Reported in Central Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were audible in Tehran on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of dense smoke were seen rising over the centre and east of the city.
“The nature of explosions indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, though it did not initially offer additional information.
Context: Escalating Tensions and Prior Events
The incident takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Major events preceding this strike include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of US naval forces in the region, featuring the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Diplomatic Negotiations: Recent talks between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's atomic program ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks scheduled.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered threats regarding its missile program.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Reportedly, a deadline of roughly two weeks had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had charged the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected assertions about missile development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation is fast-moving, with additional reports anticipated as the situation develops.
