ALBAWABA - Iran has signaled a severe reaction to Israel's recent military attacks that killed senior Iranian commanders and scientists by raising the symbolic red flag of revenge above the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom.
Deeply rooted in Shiite religious tradition, the action comes as uncertainty mounts about Tehran's response to what it has described as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
The red flag, which is often seen as a demand for retribution, has strategic and political ramifications, according to Al Jazeera's Tehran bureau. It was previously brought up in the wake of the murders of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Qassem Soleimani.
Nour Eddine Al-Dagheer, a journalist for Al Jazeera, said that while Iran often raises the flag during funeral rites, this time it was seen before to the burials, demonstrating the gravity of the situation. Operational preparation is reportedly in progress, suggesting that Iran is prioritizing a military response.
Early on Friday morning, the Israeli military started synchronized attacks against important IRGC officers, nuclear facilities, and ballistic missile infrastructure. Israel presented the assault, which included more than 200 aircraft and more than 100 key targets across Iran, as a preventative action against Iran's nuclear aspirations.
Chief of Staff Muhammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami were among those confirmed dead. They were quickly removed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who named Mohammad Pakpour the new head of the IRGC and General Abdolrahim Mousavi the new chief of staff.
Critical regions around the nuclear complex in Natanz have been closed to avoid environmental harm, according to Iranian media. The Israeli action has been characterized by military experts as a strike on Iran's power centers and a serious violation of Iranian sovereignty.
Iran is allegedly getting ready for a sophisticated counterattack in response. Experts predict that a mix of ballistic missiles, drones, and clandestine or cyber activities may be used. Iran may even try to attack targets within Israeli territory, according to Al Jazeera, utilizing information gleaned from freshly acquired papers that describe Israel's nuclear facilities.
Across Iran, protests calling for reprisal are anticipated. Despite the departure of key officials, many predict Tehran's reaction would be on reestablishing deterrence and reclaiming its regional stance.
