Following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a US-Israel airstrike, Iran raised a red “flag of revenge” at Jamkaran Mosque, symbolising a call for retaliation in Shia tradition.
After Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a joint airstrike by the United States and Israel on Sunday (February 2), a red “flag of revenge” was raised atop the Jamkaran Mosque in Iran’s holy city of Qom. For the unversed, the mosque has a significant religious importance in Iran. Raising this red flag over the mosque is a symbolic gesture hinting towards retaliation.
What Does Red Flag” Mean?
According to reports, in Shia tradition, a red flag symbolises unjust bloodshed and is a call to take revenge. Red flags were also reportedly raised over prominent mosques in other cities of Iran to mourn Khamenei’s death.. It is usually raised during the times of foreign aggression. Chants against United States and Israel were raised at the Hazrat Masoumeh Shrine, reported The Economic Times.
Khamenei’s Killing:
Iran’s supreme leader was killed in the strikes carried out by the US and Israel on Saturday. Israeli fighter jets dropped around 30 bombs on the Tehran complex housing Iran’s supreme leader. In its official announcement, the Israeli military detailed the circumstances of the strike, stating, “The Air Force, under precise intelligence guidance from the Military Intelligence and in cooperation with the Military Intelligence, attacked the leadership compound in the heart of Tehran where he was staying along with other senior officials.”
Iran President’s Address:
In his address to the nation, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to destroy enemy military bases. “Iran’s armed forces are attacking enemy bases with full force. and will leave the enemy hopeless.” He further added that Israel’s expansion should be curtailed.
Meanwhile, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also killed in the joint offensive by the US and Israel.
