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Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has replaced Iran’s official flag emoji featuring the Islamic Republic emblem with the pre-1979 Lion-and-Sun symbol, a move that has drawn wide attention amid escalating anti-government protests across the country.
The change replaces the red Islamic emblem introduced after the 1979 Islamic Revolution with the historic Lion-and-Sun insignia set against Iran’s traditional green, white and red tricolour. Users first noticed the updated emoji on Friday, with the change visible across X’s platform, including on accounts linked to Iranian government officials and state-affiliated media.
Change Approved Through Twemoji System
According to company officials, the update followed a user request that was approved through Twemoji, the open-source emoji library used by X. Engineers confirmed that the revised emoji began appearing first on the web version before rolling out to mobile devices. X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, had earlier indicated that the request was under review, responding publicly to users who called for the replacement amid growing unrest in Iran.
Historical And Political Significance of Lion-and-Sun
The Lion-and-Sun symbol has deep historical roots in Iran, having been used for centuries and formally adopted during the constitutional monarchy in the early 20th century. It remained the national emblem during the Pahlavi dynasty and was retained during the brief democratic period under Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh before being removed following the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Since then, the symbol has largely been embraced by monarchist groups, opposition supporters and sections of the Iranian diaspora. In recent years, it has resurfaced during protests as a sign of resistance to Iran’s current clerical leadership.
The emoji change comes at a sensitive moment, as Iran witnesses widespread demonstrations triggered by economic distress, soaring inflation and a collapsing national currency. What began as peaceful protests has increasingly turned violent, with reports of clashes, arrests and casualties. Iranian authorities have imposed internet and communication restrictions in several regions, a tactic previously used to curb protest coordination and information flow. Rights groups claim dozens have been killed since the unrest began, while state media has reported attacks on police and public infrastructure.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused protesters of acting on behalf of foreign powers, while state-run outlets have described demonstrators as “terrorists,” raising fears of further crackdowns.
While X has not officially described the emoji update as political, analysts say the move carries symbolic weight, particularly as social media plays a critical role during periods of unrest. The updated flag has already sparked debate online, with supporters viewing it as solidarity with protesters and critics calling it interference in Iran’s internal affairs. As protests continue and tensions rise, the change underscores how digital platforms and symbols increasingly intersect with geopolitics and public dissent.