by
Iran has hoisted the "red flag of revenge" atop the Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom, signaling a strong message of retaliation and mourning. According to Iran's state-run Fars News Agency, a video showed the red flag flying above the mosque’s dome, a significant symbol for Shia Muslims. Typically raised during the month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (RA) in the Battle of Karbala, the flag's use outside this period is rare and carries profound implications.
The flag bears the inscription "Ya La-Sarat Al-Hussein," meaning "O Avengers of Hussein," and is believed to have been raised under the directive of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts view this as a direct warning to Israel following recent attacks.
On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted Tehran, killing senior military commanders, including General Hossein Salami of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, and six nuclear scientists. Reports also indicate strikes on residential areas in Tehran and other cities, with Iran’s state television confirming an attack on the Revolutionary Guard’s headquarters and a fire at the Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation, aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile systems, will continue until its objectives are met. Israel has declared a state of emergency, anticipating potential missile and drone attacks on its military and civilian infrastructure.
In response, crowds gathered at the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, approximately 140 kilometers south of Tehran, chanting anti-Israel slogans and waving Iranian flags. Qom is considered Iran’s religious and political heartland, amplifying the significance of this gesture. Iran’s state media reported six to nine explosions across Tehran, with some targeting residential areas. The Imam Khomeini International Airport was temporarily closed following the attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that Washington had no involvement in the strikes, emphasizing that the U.S. priority is ensuring the safety of its forces in the Middle East.
The raising of the red flag at Jamkaran Mosque echoes previous instances, such as after the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani and the 2024 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, underscoring its role as a symbol of Iran’s resolve for retaliation.
This development has further escalated tensions between Iran and Israel, with the region bracing for potential further conflict.
AI/MR
