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In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of significant explosions shaking the Iranian capital, amid claims from Israel that it had conducted a preemptive military action.

Loud Blasts and Plumes of Smoke Reported in Central Tehran

According to eyewitness accounts, two powerful explosions were heard in the city on Saturday. Simultaneously, two plumes of dense smoke were observed rising over central and eastern districts of the Iranian capital.

“The type of explosions indicates that this is a strike involving missiles,” one news agency stated, though it did not initially provide additional information.

Background: Rising Strains and Prior Events

The incident takes place against a backdrop of severely escalated strains in the region. Key events preceding this attack involve:

• US Military Buildup: A significant buildup of US naval forces in the region, including the movement of aircraft carriers.
• Nuclear Talks: Latest talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme concluded without a deal, with suggestions of more discussions planned.
• Official Rhetoric: Prior to the strike, a senior US official had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued warnings regarding its missile program.
• Ultimatum: Reportedly, a time limit of roughly two weeks had been presented to Iran to resolve the atomic standoff or face serious repercussions.

Iranian Response

Reacting to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had accused the United States of spreading “falsehoods” about its defensive capabilities. Officials dismissed claims about weapons development and casualty figures as unfounded.

These developments remains fast-moving, with additional reports anticipated as events unfold.