hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. you can see the chaos after the explosion. some bodies, those who were wounded or killed, were carried on a stretcher, and ambulances rushed to the scene. it isn't israel's style and it's certainly not in israel's interest to do this right now. it's got its hands full. in gaza and the west bank... at the moment this major security incident is the worst in such attack is high ambiguity. no one expected that. inside or outside of that. more than a hundred people are killed in 2 explosions in iran. no—one has yet claimed responsibility.

we'll ask who could be behind it. also coming up... the un secutiry council is due to be talking about the attacks on ships in the red sea. we'll cross to that live in new york. in lebanon — a warning from the head of — he says the killing of a hamas leader in lebanon will not go unpunished. in england —junior doctors have started their longest ever strike. we'll ask a doctor what could end the ongoing disputes. and the darts — a 16 year old is in the world championship final right now. can he go all the way? we should know in the hours ahead. irran — 100 people killed, two explosions. two bags of explosives detonated by remote control. this picture shortly afterwards.

this happened during ceremony to mark the anniversary of the killing of qasam soleimani.he was a top commander in the revolutionary guards — a branch of the iranian armed forces. soleimani was killed in 2020. in a us air strike in iraq. let's ta ke let's take a look where these explosions happen. southeast of the country next to the grave. our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley. the roads leading to the cemetery were packed with people who had gone to qasem soleimani. officials say the bombs had been planted in bags and were apparently set off by remote control. whoever did this was clearly aiming to cause mass casualties. the iranian red crescent said their efforts to evacuate the injured were complicated by the size of the crowds. and a first bomb was followed swiftly by a second, more deadly explosion. it comes four years of the day

since qassem soleimani was killed himself in an american drone attack while on a visit to iraq. general soleimani was a huge figure in iran, commander of the powerful revolutionary guards, responsible for arming its proxy militias in the middle east, including hezbollah in lebanon and for funding hamas. he had a devoted following among supporters of the iranian regime. his funeral was attended, according to estimates, by more thani million mourners. so who would have wanted to attack the commemoration of his death and why? the most telling thing here is that this attack in kerman does not fit any modus operandi of what the israelis have traditionally done. they are looking for specific individuals, not for large events with lots of people. but there are at least two groups that have a history of doing just this type of thing in iran.

the sunni jihadist groups on whom suspicion but this is likely to fall, although no group has yet claimed to have carried it out. the iranoan supreme leader, ayatollah khomeini said there would be a harsh response. it is the deadliest attack in the country in decades and can only increase tensions in a region that is already a tinderbox. caroline hawley, bbc news. for more on this i'm joined by alex vatanka, founder and director of the iran programme at the middle east institute. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for having me. let's start with that question that caroline started to raise at the end of her report who do you think could potentially be behind this? it’s potentially be behind this? it's reall potentially be behind this? it�*s really difficult to say. i know there's some prominent iranian officials, including the minister of interior who is already started pointing a finger at the united states and israel. but clearly that's more of a political statement in reflecting any serious

investigation into a tap in. we are only hours into what happened. i think it's really early, as it important not to politicise it. i think the supreme leader who issued a small statement, he did not point a small statement, he did not point a finger at the united states. , israel orfor a finger at the united states. , israel or for that matter anyone in particular. the highest echelon of power in tehran are figuring out what is happening here and what the next move ought to be.— next move ought to be. potential urou -s next move ought to be. potential arou -s in next move ought to be. potential grouns in iran. — next move ought to be. potential groups in iran, how— next move ought to be. potential groups in iran, how strong - next move ought to be. potential groups in iran, how strong are i groups in iran, how strong are any potential groups to be able to do something like this and a possible motivation? fix, something like this and a possible motivation?— something like this and a possible motivation? ~ , ., , motivation? a couple of things here, i think we also _ motivation? a couple of things here, i think we also want _ motivation? a couple of things here, i think we also want to _ motivation? a couple of things here, i think we also want to link _ motivation? a couple of things here, i think we also want to link this - motivation? a couple of things here, i think we also want to link this to i i think we also want to link this to potential what's going on in gaza. and say this is may be israel retaliating for iranian support for hamas. i think that's a natural way of looking at it. as we've heard your programme, israelis don't have a modus operandi at during these

lines, they've always been very targeted and who they kill at minimal collateral damage is going back to 2910 of a nuclear scientist will not be attacked by hamas on the 7th of october might of change israeli calculations, i don't know. history tells us this is not the way the israelis operate. the group that does operate along these lines certainly most recently used to be a group that has changed names over the years but they were sunni jihadists down southeast border with pakistan, which is the border that the province that borders the province of kerman where these bombings happen. is this their work of sunni jihadist radicals, baby ices in afghanistan? they are certainly among the top candidates to have been behind this. just certainly among the top candidates to have been behind this.— to have been behind this. just to underline as _ to have been behind this. just to underline as you _ to have been behind this. just to underline as you are _ to have been behind this. just to underline as you are clear- to have been behind this. just to underline as you are clear they l to have been behind this. just to i underline as you are clear they are, we don't know yet who claims responsibility and could certainly

not verified. what do you think is the next step for the regime? but does around do here? it’s the next step for the regime? but does around do here?— does around do here? it's such an embarrassment. _ does around do here? it's such an embarrassment. this _ does around do here? it's such an embarrassment. this is _ does around do here? it's such an embarrassment. this is a - does around do here? it's such an embarrassment. this is a regime | does around do here? it's such an i embarrassment. this is a regime that claims to be in charge of the land borders, security is number one priority. here we have a case on a very special day commemorating a special person for this regime hassan nasrallah and these two bomb attacks happened within an hour when the regime wasn't prepared, couldn't even prevent a second bombing. 30 minutes, they had 30 minutes to prepare for an escalation before the second bomb happen. it happened to have killed most of the people, the second bomb killed most of the people. if you are sitting in iran right now you are going to some tough questions of the regime that often times speaks this language of being invincible, and on top of it and yet we see again and again that security is not in good shape for the interobserver regimes next steps, one think i know for sure,

the leadership of the revolutionary guards are not interested in war with israel or anybody else because they don't think time is right for certainly don't want to confront the united states had on. the regime has made it clear, a war with israel would drag the united states into war and that's the last thing the islamic republic wants to see. i don't think that's a scenario that is likely to happen. alex vatanka great to have your thoughts. thank ou for great to have your thoughts. thank you for coming _ great to have your thoughts. thank you for coming on _ great to have your thoughts. thank you for coming on the _ great to have your thoughts. thank you for coming on the programme. lebanon leader of hezbollah speaking. paramilitary group and political party. this is hassan nasrallah. he said interesting things, he said the deaths of those senior hamas leaders on lebanese soils would "not go unpunished. " yesterday — tuesday a hamas deputy leader was killed in lebanon. saleh al arouri.

hamas says this was a strike by israel. israel didn't comment on that claim. there are fears in the region of a hezbollah response — an escalation of the conflict. the bbc�*s hugo bachega is in beirut. talk us through what we heard. this was a speech, it lasted quite a long time. talk us through the important points. time. talk us through the important oints. , ., ., , ., points. some strong words from hassan nasrallah, _ points. some strong words from hassan nasrallah, the _ points. some strong words from hassan nasrallah, the powerfull hassan nasrallah, the powerful leader of the group his brother. he said the attack on tuesday here in beirut was a flagrant israeli aggression. he said his brother this was a dangerous crime —— that would not go unpunished. 0bviously was a dangerous crime —— that would not go unpunished. obviously this attack happened in an area of beirut thatis attack happened in an area of beirut that is his brother a stronghold. a

blow for hamas but possibly a message to his brother as well that parts that are under the control of the group can be hit by these attacks. hassan nasrallah also said that we are not are afraid of war. and in a message to israel he said that if israel decided to go to war against his brother., this would come at a very heavy cost. which is essentially the same message given by the israelis, they've been saying that if the group escalates the situation as it's been happening here since the beginning of the hamas— israel war that israel would respond with a devastating consequences. israeli authorities have been saying event that they could do to beirut what they've done to gaza. i think this really shows the difficult position that his brother finds itself in. the difficult position that his brotherfinds itself in. it the difficult position that his brother finds itself in. it wants to

show it is supporting the palestinians in gaza but at the same time if there is any kind of wrong move could spark a very strong israeli response that could have devastating consequences to this country. devastating consequences to this count . . ~ ., , devastating consequences to this count . . ~ ., ., country. talk to us about the man himself, the _ country. talk to us about the man himself, the role _ country. talk to us about the man himself, the role he _ country. talk to us about the man himself, the role he plays - country. talk to us about the man himself, the role he plays both i himself, the role he plays both within lebanon and in the wider region. he within lebanon and in the wider reuion. , ., region. he is the long-time leader of his brother— region. he is the long-time leader of his brother known _ region. he is the long-time leader of his brother known for— region. he is the long-time leader of his brother known for his - region. he is the long-time leader of his brother known for his strong anti—israeli views and positions. i think because of the role that they have in lebanon it is not only a very powerful militia group with tens of thousands of rockets, including rockets that can strike deep inside israeli territory but also very powerful political force, also very powerful political force, a social movement as well. that is extremely influential in lebanon. every thing hassan nasrallah says

and the actions of the group are closely watching her in lebanon. the impact is felt way beyond the groups base of support. impact is felt way beyond the groups base of summ— so so much for that. we will get a bit more analysis on the potential we will get a bit more analysis consequences could be. live now to firas maksad, senior fellow at the middle east institute. thank you for coming on the programme. what was your reaction to the speech? i programme. what was your reaction to the seech? ., programme. what was your reaction to the seech? ~ ., programme. what was your reaction to the seech? ~ . , ., , the speech? i think what israel is t in: to the speech? i think what israel is trying to do _ the speech? i think what israel is trying to do is — the speech? i think what israel is trying to do is to _ the speech? i think what israel is trying to do is to assume - the speech? i think what israel is trying to do is to assume israel i the speech? i think what israel is i trying to do is to assume israel was in fact behind the assassination of the hamas leader yesterday in peru, is trying to force his brother's hand. really having a preference to warfare, really the simmering conflict keeping israel engage, harassing in order to help hamas but not really escalating into that full confrontation of a broader war with

israel, if you may. yesterday's assassination really putting his brother and his binary choice position. eitheryou brother and his binary choice position. either you retaliate and risk a major war with israel, which they do not want. or you capitulate, which would then allow israel to break the rules of engagement, the rules of conflicts and opens the door to further israeli assassination on doctor in lebanon. it was a very difficult moment for hassan nasrallah today for that what we've heard from the speech is that hassan nasrallah is not taking the bait. he did say a lot of chest pumping, israel will pay the price, didn't say how didn't say when. what i took from this is that his brother is adamant to want to continue to harass israel but to do so on its terms, short of it all out war. go back to their phrase, there was a tiny bit of break for might be back to their phrase, there was a tiny bit of breakfor might be my hearing, did you say fighting in the grey area, grey zone? remind us of a couple of sentences what you mean by

that. i couple of sentences what you mean by that. . , ., , couple of sentences what you mean by that. . , . ., , that. i and proxy particularly havin: that. i and proxy particularly having what _ that. i and proxy particularly having what we _ that. i and proxy particularly having what we referred i that. i and proxy particularly having what we referred to l that. i and proxy particularly| having what we referred to is that. i and proxy particularly i having what we referred to is grey zone warfare, meaning it's harassing israel, its cross—border operations, of are surgical operation, special operations. could not really elevating to an all—out war with israel. the traditional war would probably see israel with the hand. this is the preference of how and when the iranians and their proxy want to fight in wars.— when the iranians and their proxy want to fight in wars. thank you. in reiards to want to fight in wars. thank you. in regards to the _ want to fight in wars. thank you. in regards to the specifics _ want to fight in wars. thank you. in regards to the specifics of - regards to the specifics of sentences that we today things like actions will not go unpunished, in your eyes then this isn't the launch of a big escalation, there will be some retaliation but it will be surgical and small—scale as far as you can predict? surgical and small-scale as far as you can predict?— surgical and small-scale as far as you can predict? hassan nasrallah really excels _ you can predict? hassan nasrallah really excels in _ you can predict? hassan nasrallah really excels in these _ you can predict? hassan nasrallah really excels in these moments. i you can predict? hassan nasrallahl really excels in these moments. he wants to keep the israelis and much of the world on its toes in terms of what might or might not happen. he's not giving it away. he kept

referring to another speech, he will be speaking again on friday. an promising that more will be said and more will be revealed on friday. all eyes, certainly all of lebanon and israel will be focused on what he has to say on friday. the overall message i took from statements today is that they will retaliate at a time and place of their choosing. they will not fall into the trap, which in their view some in the israeli cabinet walk which is to pull their feet into a full out war with israel-— with israel. before i let you go, what is the _ with israel. before i let you go, what is the role _ with israel. before i let you go, what is the role of _ with israel. before i let you go, what is the role of the - what is the role of the international players here, for example the us? what kind of relationship, leverage? it’s example the us? what kind of relationship, leverage? it's very interesting _ relationship, leverage? it's very interesting moment. _ relationship, leverage? it's very interesting moment. we - relationship, leverage? it's very interesting moment. we see i relationship, leverage? it's very. interesting moment. we see that relationship, leverage? it's very i interesting moment. we see that iran and the united states both do not have an interest in seeing a broader regional war, a second front in lebanon. both for their own separate reasons. but the fear is that there

are some in this right—wing israeli government, the more fringe elements of the israeli government that are welcoming or pushing towards the potential war with lebanon to really clear at the table now that they are of israeli soldiers, up on the northern border with lebanon. there are fears in washington in the biden administration that some in israel would like to see such a war. this quite a lot of pushback, pressure from the biden administration on israel not to do anything, not to conduct further operations i could trigger war. conduct further operations i could trigger war-— conduct further operations i could tri. ier war. .,, ., 4' ,., trigger war. firas maksad thank you for comini trigger war. firas maksad thank you for coming on _ trigger war. firas maksad thank you for coming on the _ trigger war. firas maksad thank you for coming on the programme. i un security council, talking about attacks on ships in red sea. houthi rebels in yemen attacking

ships they say with links to israel. houthi rebels are backed by iran and support hamas in the war against israel. this is having a huge impact on global shipping. we can take a quick look at a map to show you the scale of the impact. this map shows basically why. shipping companies avoiding that stretch around yemen, not using the suez canal going all the way on that long diversion around the south of africa for delays in delivery, high cost to associate with that. we know military ships have been sent to that area. let's take you back alive to the pictures of the un security council. just before the session started, a joint statement was released us, uk, ten other countries basically warning the hoodies will face consequences if they continue

to threaten life with their actions. —— houthi rebels. we will be keeping the details of what is discussed as we get in developments out on that. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a 15—year—old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering teenager harry pitman, who was fatally stabbed in north london on new year's eve. harry — who was 16 and from haringey was attacked in primrose hill shortly before midnight on sunday. the metropolitan police said an 18—year—old man was also arrested on suspicion of affray. the government says pupils at english schools that have been partially closed because of dangerous concrete will not get extra help in their exams. since september, some students have not been able to access design and technology work rooms,

laboratories and other specialist spaces, because of crumbling concrete, known as raac. school leaders have called for special consideration. new research suggests that supermarkets experienced their busiest christmas period since 2019. the research firm kantar said customers made 488 million trips to the supermarket in the four weeks to christmas eve with nearly £14 billion passing through the tills. you're live with bbc news. in england — the longest strike in nhs history is under way. junior doctors started their six—day walkout. it's over a long—running dispute over pay. thousands of routine appointments and operations have been postponed as hospitals focus on emergency care. a pay increase of 8.8% has been awarded by the government and they have offered an extra 3% on top of that. but the doctors union — the british medical association says that is still not a credible offer that reflects the rise in inflation. the government says the union's demands are unrealistic.

let's speak to dr tal ellenbogan, bmajunior doctors committee. thank you for coming on the programme. let's talk about the strike and the length of it and the potential disruption. there are lots of figures by people working in hospitals, patients at home about safety in an already stretched system for the are you worried about that too? i’m system for the are you worried about that too? �* . ._ , ., ., ,., that too? i'm always worried about atient that too? i'm always worried about patient safety- _ that too? i'm always worried about patient safety. having _ that too? i'm always worried about patient safety. having worked i that too? i'm always worried about patient safety. having worked in i that too? i'm always worried about. patient safety. having worked in the nhs over the last few years when it's collapsing, if not already collapsed patient safety are our primary concern. that's why during the strikes sweet meet with nhs england three times a day to look at patient request, look whether we need to send doctors back to hospital or whether the other solutions can be found. 0ne hospital or whether the other solutions can be found. one of the reasons we are on strike is about

patient safety. if we look at patient safety. if we look at patient safety. if we look at patient safety last winter when not a single doctor was out on strike we had 500 people a week dying of preventable causes because there weren't enough doctors and a 500 people is like a jumbo jet crashing every single week. if we were in airline that didn't do anything about that you be asking us questions. there are reasons so many doctors are leaving is because they've had 26% realtors pay cuts over the last 15 years meaning they now graduate with a hundred grand of debt, just £15 an hour for this life—saving work. what is wrong with the offer of an extra 3% on top of the? that pay off would still leave the? that pay off would still leave the majority of doctors with a realtors pay cut given inflation with 11 point the previous year. it doesn't do anything to address the previous years of pay cuts. if we

have god in exodus and we have two australia, new zealand and other industries that value and pay doctors appropriately, do we really think an extra £150 an hour is going to keep doctors in? all we are asking for is to reverse our pay cuts just to get back to net neutral. what that looks like is that doctor earning £20 an hour, which i think is a fairly reasonable sum for the patient health care. does that mean, there doesn't seem to be much confidence in any kind of last—minute talks are ongoing talks could be possible whilst this walk—out is ongoing. it looks like days and days of disruption. then after that potentially there will be talks. do you know what you will accept, what it will take you do not walk out any more, not go on strike? is it that net neutral figure that you were referring to or is there any other compromise? i

you were referring to or is there any other compromise?- you were referring to or is there any other compromise? i don't think the strikes are _ any other compromise? i don't think the strikes are inevitable. _ any other compromise? i don't think the strikes are inevitable. we - any other compromise? i don't think the strikes are inevitable. we can i the strikes are inevitable. we can still have talks today, tomorrow or anytime in the health secretary has encouraged us by saying that she has a betterfinal offer to encouraged us by saying that she has a better final offer to make. encouraged us by saying that she has a betterfinal offer to make. we are still yet to hear it. the question is, why is she waiting for the strikes to go ahead rather than give us an offer? as to what incredible offer looks like, we are willing to negotiate and look at creative solutions for the weave indicated that were willing to split the reversal of the pay cuts, the pay restoration over several years. we've offered creative solutions but we can't work on any of those of the government are coming to the negotiating table, which they walked away from. we negotiating table, which they walked awa from. ~ ., , negotiating table, which they walked awa from. ~ . , ., ,, . ., negotiating table, which they walked awa from. ~ . _,, _, away from. we really appreciate your time and coming _ away from. we really appreciate your time and coming on _ away from. we really appreciate your time and coming on the _ away from. we really appreciate your time and coming on the programme. | time and coming on the programme. thank you very much. thank you for having me. just want to bring you an u date on having me. just want to bring you an update on the _ having me. just want to bring you an update on the darts, _ having me. just want to bring you an update on the darts, which - having me. just want to bring you an update on the darts, which i - update on the darts, which i mentioned at the top of the hour. it is a significant moment. beyond spore, in—store, you don't have to

be interested in darts particularly but the teenager, the 16—year—old is under way. but the teenager, the 16—year—old is underway. final but the teenager, the 16—year—old is under way. final match isjust getting started. i think we have some details about how he's getting on. if you haven't been following the story, disses him there, is 16 years old, luke littler defying all the odds getting all the way to the final. he will become the youngest world start champion if he wins. he's up against luke humphreys in the final who is actually the current number one. it is in incredibly difficult challenge ahead. but he has performed incredibly well up until now. he came in potentially in some eyes as a favourite, despite facing the world number one. an incredibly important night in his career. we

will be keeping you right across the details. he has already lost the first set, we believe, one set down. but plenty to go. we will be keeping you across that. the other development is a new york, united nations, un security council debating attacks from yemen rebels, the houthi rebels aren't ships and shipping in that seat lane and although disruption and risk to life. that is being brought. we are keeping across that when we get significant news lines out of new york and indeed london we will of course bring you those two. to stay with us. back with the headlines are just a moment. with us. back with the headlines are justa moment. i'm with us. back with the headlines are just a moment. i'm lewis vaughan jones this is bbc news.

hello. after the wind and rain from storm henk on tuesday — wednesday brought more heavy downpours in places. not helping the ongoing flooding situation, check the latest flood warnings on our website or on your bbc local radio station. and there is some more rain to come as we head through tonight. still some showers around, but some clearer spells starting to spread from the south—west as the night wears on. temperatures will drop away down to around three, four or five degrees in quite a few spots. one or two places could get quite close to freezing. so we head in to thursday with low pressure still in charge to the north that will bring some showers. and then this little weather system here threatening to bring more unwanted rain into southern parts of the uk. so across northern england, northern ireland and scotland, a lot of clouds and bits and pieces of showery rain still very windy in the northern isles.

then a slice of sunshine across north wales, parts of northern england, the north midlands through the afternoon, but to the south of that cloud will be gathering and here comes our next area of rain. now, this is going to deal a glancing blow, really, but it is going to slide along the southern counties of england, perhaps getting into south—east wales and then moving up across the london area and into east anglia through thursday evening. this rain falling on saturated ground so could well cause furtherflooding issues. it may turn quite windy for a time down towards the south as well. that weather system swirling its way off into the near continent on friday. still some showery rain across eastern scotland and eastern england. sunshine and showers out towards the west. temperatures a little bit lower by this stage, 6—9 degrees. and then as we head into the weekend, low pressure will at long last loosen its grip. high pressure will be building across the uk, still possibly one or two showers, but a lot more in the way of dry weather. i'm sure that'll be good news for many. however, we will also start to introduce some colder air.

so saturday looks a little bit like this — still some areas of cloud, a few bits and pieces of showery rain around, but broadly speaking does turn dry up brighter some spells of sunshine once any early morning mist has clear, but those temperatures 6—9 degrees at best. and as we look ahead to sunday, those temperatures may drop back even further. lots of dry weather after any early mist and fog and it stays mostly dry but chilly into next week.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. the effects of uk's storm henk — as well as areas under water, there are power cuts and disruption to travel. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's paul scott. hello, from the bbc sport centre let's start with what was an extraordinary opening day in the second cricket test between south africa and india, with the hosts bowled out forjust 55 in cape town. mohammed siraj took six wickets as india skittled the hosts out in a little over 23 overs. the tourists were then dismissed for 153 themselves before south africa closed on 62—3 in their second innings, captain dean elgar dismissed twice on the opening day of his farewell

test.