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In the early hours of Saturday morning, reports emerged of major explosions shaking Tehran, amid statements from Israel that it had conducted a preemptive military action.

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. Correspondingly, columns of dense smoke were seen billowing over the centre and east of the city.

“The type of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack,” one news agency stated, without immediately provide additional information.

Context: Rising Strains and Recent Events

The incident occurs against a background of severely escalated strains in the region. Major events leading up to this attack involve:

• US Military Buildup: A significant build-up of American warships in the Middle East, including the repositioning of carrier strike groups.
• Diplomatic Negotiations: Recent discussions between the US and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme concluded without a deal, with suggestions of further discussions planned.
• Official Rhetoric: Prior to the strike, a prominent American figure had labeled Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered threats regarding its missile program.
• 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

In response to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had charged the United States of spreading “big lies” about its defensive capabilities. Officials dismissed assertions about weapons development and casualty figures as baseless.

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