In itself, it is not yet a declaration of intent, but it is enough to raise the first alarm bells on a horizon as terrible as the war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. We are talking about the black flag flying in the mosque with the largest surface in the world, Imām Reżā in Mashhad, Iran, which raised great concern especially among North American observers. In fact, in North American circles, they interpreted this gesture desired by guardian Astan Quds Razavi as a sign of plausible interference by Tehran in the ongoing conflict. This is because the Iranian state supports not only Hamas, but also other groups based on anti-Israel ideology, from the Shiite Hezbollah movement in Lebanon to the Sunni Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip and Syria. Confirmation also came in a recent interview given by a Lebanese Hamas spokesman to the Financial Times, in which he explained that the objectives of the “axis of resistance” are to destroy Israel and counter American influence in the Middle East.
However, growing American anxieties do not correspond to reality, at least according to assurances that came directly from the Temple spokesperson, reported on the Sanctuary’s social pages. The black flag displayed on the dome would be a response “to the barbaric crimes committed by the usurping regime”, that of Israel, in relation to the massacre at the al Ahli hospital in Gaza. In that part of the world, the responsibilities are entirely attributable to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, even if this has not yet been verified. In any case, it would therefore be a symbol of mourning and closeness to the Palestinian friends who died in the explosion. There should have been greater fear in the case of the display of the red flag, an emblem of revenge in those parts. But attention remains high: a possible entry by Iran would be harmful and would further expand the scope of the Israeli-Palestinian war.
#PalestineGenocide | A black flag signifying war was hung at the Razavi mausoleum in Mashhad, Iran. pic.twitter.com/7lxFeZvi6W
-SceNews (@scehaber) October 17, 2023
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
