Dense columns of black smoke were seen in Tehran, Iran, in the early hours of Monday morning (16), as Iranian state media reported large explosions in the Iranian capital.
A large volume of smoke was reported in central Tehran, and another area in the west of the city.
The timing of the explosion coincided with a statement from the Israeli armed forces earlier on Monday, which claimed to have initiated a strike against infrastructure in Tehran.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard said Israeli fighter jets attacked Mehrabad Airport, the country’s busiest air transport hub.
What is happening in the Middle East?
They are at war with Iran. The conflict began on February 28, when a coordinated attack between the two countries killed the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.
Several high-ranking officials of the Iranian regime were also killed. Furthermore, the US claims to have destroyed dozens of the country’s ships, as well as air defense systems, planes and other military targets.
In retaliation, the ayatollah regime carried out attacks against several countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Oman. Iranian officials say they are targeting only U.S. and Israeli interests in those nations.
More than 1,200 civilians have died in Iran since the start of the war, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The White House, in turn, registered at least seven deaths of American soldiers in direct relation to the Iranian attacks.
The conflict also expanded into Lebanon. Hezbollah, an armed group supported by Iran, attacked Israeli territory in retaliation for the death of Ali Khamenei. As a result, Israel has carried out aerial offensives against what it says are Hezbollah targets in the neighboring country. Hundreds of people have died on Lebanese territory since then.
With the death of much of its leadership, a council from Iran: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei. Experts point out that he will not make structural changes and represents continuity of repression.
Donald Trump showed dissatisfaction with this choice, calling it a “big mistake”. He had said that he would need to be involved in the process and said that Mojtaba would be “unacceptable” to Iran’s leadership.
