Tehran: A series of powerful explosions jolted Tehran early Tuesday morning, creating a tense atmosphere in the Iranian capital just hours before a scheduled ceasefire between Israel and Iran was set to begin. Warplanes were heard overhead as blasts shook the northern and central regions of the city around 3 am local time.

According to France24.com, the explosions occurred shortly before a staggered ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump, was due to come into effect around 4 am GMT. The ceasefire agreement, brokered with the help of Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, aimed to halt hostilities between Israel and Iran that had escalated over the past 12 days.

The ceasefire discussions gained momentum following an Iranian missile strike on the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which fortunately resulted in no casualties. In response to the escalation, Qatar’s airspace was temporarily closed but was reopened on Tuesday as tensions began to de-escalate.

President Trump announced on social media that both Iran and Israel had agreed to a phased-in ceasefire over 24 hours, marking an official end to the conflict. Trump’s announcement came after a phone call with Qatar’s emir, where he sought Doha’s assistance in persuading Tehran to agree to the ceasefire.

Amidst the diplomatic efforts, the Israeli army issued a warning for residents in central Tehran to evacuate, citing military operations targeting Iranian regime infrastructure. A map was published, highlighting an evacuation zone in District 7, urging civilians to leave the area for their safety.

As the ceasefire took effect, the international community remains vigilant, hoping that this agreement will lead to a lasting peace between the two nations. The situation remains fluid, with both sides under scrutiny to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire to prevent further escalation.