01.03.2026 08:00
After Khamenei's death, Iran raised a black flag at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, representing the call for "Revenge." In Shia tradition, raising the flag symbolizes that "blood will not be left on the ground and revenge will be taken."
Tensions in the Middle East escalated for months, the world waited on edge, and the negotiation talks held in Oman ended without results. On February 28, the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in a joint operation, and Iran retaliated by striking US bases in Gulf countries.
US President Donald Trump announced the death of Iran's religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was the primary target of the attacks. Following the announcement, Iranian state television confirmed that Khamenei was killed in the attacks by the US and Israel. A 40-day mourning period was declared in the country. A red flag, symbolizing "revenge" in Shia tradition, was raised.
BLACK FLAG RAISED
In Iran, where mourning and anger prevailed after Khamenei's death, a black flag was raised at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. The black flag is seen as a symbol of mourning and revenge.
IRANIANS GATHERING IN REVOLUTION SQUARE
Following the news of Khamenei's death, many Iranians began to gather with flags in Revolution Square in the capital, Tehran. In the city of Qom, hundreds of people gathered at the Hazrat Masumeh Shrine to curse the US and Israel. Meanwhile, as a black flag was raised on the dome of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iranians heading to the area shed tears over Khamenei's death.
WHAT DOES THE BLACK FLAG MEAN?
The black flag is a sign of revenge and the color of the headgear worn by soldiers as they are directed to war. The Abbasid Dynasty, which ruled from Baghdad (750-1258), adopted the color black as a symbol of mourning in memory of the killing of the relatives of our Prophet Muhammad and the Battle of Karbala.