Sina Toossi, senior fellow at Center for International Policy posts: “A deadly attack near the tomb of Iran’s Gen. Soleimani, assassinated by the U.S. four years ago, has left at least 86 dead as per Iranian media. This is likely to escalate the already high tensions in the Middle East, with many in Iran suspecting Israeli involvement. … Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi: ‘The first explosion occurred at 3 PM, and when people gathered to help, the second explosion happened. Most of the martyrs and injured were affected by the second explosion.'”

See Reuters “Israeli drone kills deputy Hamas chief in Beirut,” regarding the assassination of top Hamas chief and Qassam Brigades’ commander Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut.

Hassan Nasrallah of Hizbullah is expected to speak at 11 a.m. ET, will likely be carried by al Mayadeen and translated online by @rania_masri.

AMAL SAAD, SaadA2@cardiff.ac.uk, @amalsaad_lb
Saad is a lecturer in politics at Cardiff University. She is a leading scholar of Hizbullah and the politics of “Resistance Axis.” Listen to her interview on BBC 5.

BASHIR SAADE, bashir.saade@stir.ac.uk, @bashir_saade
Saade is author of Hizbullah and the Politics of Remembrance (Cambridge University Press). He said today: “Those who are saying Hizbullah now has to respond or it’s a ‘win for Israel’ do not understand two things: How martyrdom is a form of victory for groups like Hizbullah and Hamas, and reinforces its ranks, mobilisation etc. And here more timely, that Hizbullah’s actions should be read in light of the developments taking place on the southern Lebanese border, the Israeli settlements have been evacuated, the vital military, intelligence outposts have been destroyed or neutralised. Same thing in Gaza, in terms of military developments, Hizbullah and Hamas still have a strategic edge here, killing a senior figure is just Israel getting more frustrated. But in any case, we have to listen to what the SG of Hizbullah, Hassan Nasrallah will say.”

He is a lecturer in politics and religion at the University of Stirling. He previously held posts at the University of Edinburgh and the American University of Beirut; he holds a Ph.D. in War Studies from King’s College London. He focuses on contemporary Political Islam and nationalism. See prior news release: “Hizbollah Expert: Hamas Trying to Follow in Hizbollah’s Footsteps, Israel Pursuing Exodus of Palestinians.”