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In the early hours of Saturday morning, accounts surfaced of significant blasts shaking Tehran, following statements from Israel that it had conducted a preventative military action.

Loud Blasts and Smoke Reported in the Heart of Tehran

As per on-the-ground reports, two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday. Simultaneously, columns of dense smoke were observed rising over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

“The type of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, though it did not immediately provide additional information.

Context: Escalating Strains and Prior Developments

This event takes place against a background of severely escalated tensions in the Middle East. Major events leading up to this strike involve:

• US Military Buildup: A massive build-up of American warships in the region, featuring the repositioning of carrier strike groups.
• Nuclear Talks: Recent discussions between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with indications of more discussions scheduled.
• Public Statements: Before the attack, a prominent American figure had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and issued threats regarding its missile program.
• Diplomatic Deadline: Allegedly, a time limit of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to settle the nuclear dispute or face serious repercussions.

Iranian Response

In response to prior accusations, Iranian officials had accused the US of spreading “big lies” about its missiles programme. Officials rejected claims about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.

These developments is fast-moving, with additional reports expected as events unfold.