Multiple explosions rocked Iran's capital, Tehran, on Saturday, sending plumes of smoke billowing above the skyline and causing gridlock across the city, according to footage obtained by China Media Group (CMG).
The footage shows thick smoke rising from buildings and explosions echoing across the Iranian capital, as traffic came to a standstill in many areas. The explosions mark the latest escalation in a sharp spike in hostilities that has plunged the Middle East into a new round of violent conflict.
The United States and Israel launched "major combat operations" against Iran earlier Saturday, triggering retaliatory strikes from Iran against Israeli and U.S. assets across the region, with explosions also reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
The latest flare-up comes after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks earlier this week and agreed to resume negotiations next week.
Explosions rock Tehran, triggering massive traffic jams across Iranian capital
Companies operating at Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, Iran -- including warehouse staff, shipowners, and freight forwarders -- fled the port after it was targeted in joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Saturday.
Black smoke was rising from a naval radar station and a warehouse of the Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base near the port at around 11:00, an overseas Chinese resident told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
The evacuation of businesses from the port has triggered traffic jams on roads leading to the city, according to the witness, with footage obtained by CGTN showing trucks, fuel tankers and cars crowding the roads.
The United States and Israel on Saturday launched strikes against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts.
Iran retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, among other countries.
The latest flare-up came after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks earlier this week and agreed to resume negotiations next week.
Businesses flee key Iranian port following attacks by US, Israel
