New Delhi: Iran has raised a ‘red flag’ over the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom following the alleged killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in an Israeli airstrike.
The red flag, a symbol of vengeance, was hoisted after Iran accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh while he was in the country for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The red flag is traditionally raised during Muharram to signify the blood of martyrs. Its hoisting over the mosque underscores Iran’s vow for revenge. This act comes after images and videos surfaced of Haniyeh meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, just before the assassination.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the killing, labeling it as “criminal and cowardly.” They accused Israel of targeting Haniyeh to distract from its prolonged and unsuccessful campaign in Gaza, where Israeli forces have struggled despite advanced weaponry.
Haniyeh’s funeral will be held in Tehran before his body is transported to Doha, Qatar, for burial. The attack reportedly occurred while Haniyeh was at his residence in northern Tehran, killing him and several associates.
The red flag, inscribed with “Ya la-tharat al-Hussein” (“O avengers of Hussein”), symbolizes the quest for justice, rooted in the historical context of Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The flag’s presence in Qom, a significant religious and educational hub in Iran, highlights the depth of Iran’s commitment to avenging Haniyeh’s death.
