In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking Tehran, amid statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preventative military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Reported in the Heart of Tehran
According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were audible in the city on Saturday. Correspondingly, two plumes of dense smoke were observed billowing over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The nature of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without immediately offer additional information.
Background: Rising Strains and Prior Events
The incident takes place against a backdrop of sharply increased strains in the Middle East. Major developments leading up to this strike include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of American warships in the Middle East, featuring the repositioning of aircraft carriers.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more discussions planned.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a prominent American figure had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered warnings regarding its missile program.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the atomic standoff or confront serious repercussions.
Iranian Response
In response to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had charged the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They rejected claims about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
These developments is fast-moving, with further updates anticipated as events unfold.
