News sources in the Arab world were closed-mouth about the explosion in Damascus Thursday morning, when a bus with Iranian Shiite pilgrims blew up. At least a dozen were killed in the blast, initial reports said. Some sources in Syria said that there was a connection to the visit of top Iranian official Sa'id Jalili, who was set to visit Syria today.

The explosion occurred near the Sayyeda Zainab Mosque, named after a major figure in Shi'ite Islam. The area has been location of other attacks in the past protesting Syrian government policy, and Israeli observers said that the attack Thursday could be connected to opposition groups in Syria protesting the country's close relationship with Iran.