In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of major blasts shaking the Iranian capital, following statements from Israel that it had conducted a preemptive strike.
Loud Blasts and Smoke Reported in the Heart of Tehran
According to on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning. Correspondingly, columns of dense smoke were observed rising over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The type of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, without initially provide further details.
Background: Escalating Strains and Recent Events
The incident takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated strains in the region. Key developments preceding this attack include:
- US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of American warships in the Middle East, including the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the US and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with suggestions of more discussions scheduled.
- Public Statements: Before the attack, a prominent American figure had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered warnings regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Reportedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been given to Iran to resolve the nuclear dispute or confront severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had charged the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about weapons development and casualty figures as unfounded.
These developments is fast-moving, with additional reports expected as events unfold.
