Iran has vowed revenge after the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attack by America and Israel. Meanwhile, Iran’s Jamkaran Mosque is once again in the headlines, which is considered very important religiously and politically. Iran has hoisted the red flag on the dome of this mosque. After Khamenei’s death, this flag was hoisted as a symbol of justice and vengeance. In Shia tradition it is seen as a symbol of martyrdom and struggle against injustice.

jamkran mosque meaning of red flag

This red flag over the Jamkaran Mosque reflects the growing anger and sense of revenge among Khamenei’s supporters amid increasing tension in the Middle East. Khamenei died in an airstrike in Tehran. After the joint attacks by America and Israel, the question has arisen whether this action is just military pressure or the beginning of regime change in Iran.

American justified its action in UN

Justifying its action against Iran in the United Nations, America said that the security of America’s allies does not depend on conditions. America defended military attacks against Iran during the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The US Ambassador said, ‘Iran’s continued pursuit of advanced missile capabilities and its refusal to abandon nuclear ambitions despite diplomatic opportunities, represents a serious and growing threat.’

Trump warned Iran

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (1 March 2026) warned Iran against any military action, saying that he will attack that country with a force never seen before. Trump said, ‘Iran has just said that they will attack today with a force that has never been seen before, but they better not do that, because if they do, we will attack them with a force that has never been seen before.’

Iran’s Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to bring Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killers to justice after confirming the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on state television, promising a response that would be the worst attack in history against the US and Israel.

America and Israel together carried out an airstrike on Iran and caused destruction in many cities including Tehran. After this attack, questions are being raised on Iran’s air defense system as to why they could not stop the attack on them. Iran had recently purchased HQ-9B air defense system from China to strengthen its defense, which proved unsuccessful in the current war. HQ-9B was ineffective even during Operation Sindoor when India wreaked havoc in Pakistan. India had destroyed the Chinese defense system. After the failed performance of this Chinese air defense system twice, questions have started being raised on the capabilities of HQ-9B.

Claims regarding China’s HQ-9B air defense system

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation has created the HQ-9B air defense system. Like the Russian S-300PMU and the American Patriot PAC-2 system, it has been developed by China as an indigenous air defense system. Its first test was done in the year 2006 and it has been in use for the last 10 years. It has been claimed in many reports that its strike range is 260 km and it can fly at a height of 50 km and shoot down missiles present at high altitude.

Its active radar homing and passive infrared seeker make it effective against stealth aircraft. According to reports, the HQ-9B can engage 6-8 targets simultaneously and track 100 targets. HQ-9B has been deployed to Beijing, Tibet and the South China Sea regions, all of which are vital to China’s strategic interests. This means that this surface-to-air missile system is a mainstay of its air defense network. Although its performance has now proved that, these features are only on paper.

How did Iran get HQ-9B air defense system?

As tensions increased in the Gulf, Iran started strengthening its defense. Iran had made a deal with China for HQ-9B missile in exchange for oil. This was a major upgrade for Iran after the poor performance of the Russian S-300PMU-2 against Israeli missiles during the 2025 war. Iran deployed the HQ-9B last year to important sites such as the Natanz nuclear complex, the Fordow enrichment plant, IRGC missile and UAV bases, and airports near Tehran and Isfahan.

America and Israel together attacked 28 provinces of Iran including Tehran on Saturday (28 February 2026). Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in this attack, which once again drew the attention of the whole world towards the Middle East. Responding to this attack, Iran targeted American military bases in the Gulf countries.

After the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the attack by America and Israel, Tehran is burning in the fire of revenge. After Khamenei’s death, Iran has appointed senior religious leader Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi as the interim Supreme Leader. He has been appointed as a jurist member in the interim leadership council. This council will perform the responsibilities of the Supreme Leader until a new leader is selected according to the Constitution of Iran.

Arafi has held key positions during Khamenei’s leadership.

Ali Reza Arafi was appointed to important positions in Iran during Khamenei’s leadership. According to the Constitution of Iran, the Interim Council consists of the President, the Chief Justice and a religious leader from the Guardian Council. After Khamenei’s death, this council will take important decisions. The final decision on the new supreme leader will be taken by the assembly of experts. It is a religious body of 88 members, which has the final authority over the country’s political system, army and important institutions.

Who is Ali Reza Arafi, close to Khamenei?

Ali Reza Arafi (67 years) was born in the year 1959. He is considered an influential and senior personality in the religious system of Iran. Presently he is the Vice President of the Assembly of Experts. He has also been a member of the Guardian Council in the year 2019. This is the same institution that examines the candidates contesting elections and reviews the laws passed by the Parliament. He is also the head of Iran’s Islamic seminary system spread across the country.

Arafi also chaired Al-Mustafa International University, a leading institution for training religious leaders from Iran and abroad. Religiously they are very established and respected. Arafi’s rise is only the second change in supreme leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This is a moment that will test Iran’s political structure and its ability to maintain cohesion under challenging circumstances.

40 days mourning announced in Iran after Khamenei’s death

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. After his death, the Iranian government announced 40 days of mourning. Four of Khamenei’s relatives, including his daughter, grandson and son-in-law, were killed in the US-Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, Trump said that a major military campaign against Iran will continue.

Trump said, “The heavy and precise bombing will continue without interruption throughout the week or as long as is necessary to achieve our objective of peace in the Middle East and, indeed, throughout the world.” Trump has once again reiterated his previous appeal to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Armed Forces and police to lay down their weapons in exchange for immunity.