Iran’s capital has reportedly been rocked by another huge explosion as the US continues to threaten military action in the country. An as yet unconfirmed report comes after an Iranian official warned in January that any attack on the Islamic Republic would be considered “an all out war” against the country. Footage posted on social media purports to show an explosion in Tehran earlier on Wednesday (February 4). The unverified clip comes after a fire tore through a commercial market in the capital yesterday.
Tensions between the United State and Iran remain high after the Iranian regime launched a brutal crackdown on civilians protesting against the cost-of-living in the heavily sanctioned Middle East state. Reports of an explosion in Tehran came on the day Iranian media said talks between Iran and the US will be held Friday in Oman.
Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said on Wednesday (February 4) that the number of arrests has topped 50,000 in the government crackdown.
At least 50,834 people have been arrested in connection with the Iranian government’s crackdown on protests, according to the agency. The crackdown on the demonstrations has also killed at least 6,876 people, though there are fears many more may be dead. It has not been possible to independently confirm the death toll.
A US Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached a US aircraft carrier early on Tuesday morning. The US Navy also said Iranian fast boats from the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard also tried to stop a US-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran did not immediately acknowledge either incident.
Iran’s pivot towards talks marked a major turn for the Republic, and signalled that the move is supported by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state. The 86-year-old cleric had dismissed any negotiations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said US special envoy Steve Witkoff was planning to hold talks with Iranian officials in Turkey later this week.
She said US President Donald Trump ”is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango”.
Ms Leavitt added: “You need a willing partner to achieve diplomacy and that’s something that special envoy Witkoff is intent on exploring and discussing.”
Washington has not acknowledged whether the talks will take place in Oman, but the White House has said it anticipated negotiations will take place even after the US shot down the Iranian drone and Iran attempted to stop the US-flagged ship.
Iran’s reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said on Tuesday that he had instructed the country’s foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States. It was the first clear sign Tehran wants to try to negotiate.