In the early hours of Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking the Iranian capital, amid claims from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preventative strike.
Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Witnessed in the Heart of Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of thick smoke were observed billowing over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
“The type of explosions indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency reported, though it did not initially offer further details.
Context: Escalating Strains and Recent Developments
The incident occurs against a background of severely escalated strains in the Middle East. Key events preceding this strike involve:
- US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Latest discussions between the US and Iranian officials on Tehran's nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with indications of more talks planned.
- Official Rhetoric: Before the attack, a senior US official had described Iran as “the leading state sponsor of terrorism” and delivered threats regarding its weapons development.
- Diplomatic Deadline: Allegedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to resolve the atomic standoff or face severe consequences.
Reaction from Tehran
Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had charged the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its missiles programme. Officials dismissed assertions about missile development and protest deaths as unfounded.
These developments is fast-moving, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
