Early Saturday morning, reports emerged of significant blasts rocking Tehran, amid statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preventative military action.
According to eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were heard in the city on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were seen rising over central and eastern districts of the city.
“The nature of these blasts indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency reported, without initially provide further details.
This event occurs against a backdrop of sharply increased strains in the region. Key events preceding this strike involve:
Reacting to prior accusations, Iranian authorities had charged the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its defensive capabilities. Officials rejected claims about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.
The situation is fluid, with further updates expected as the situation develops.