Social media platform X replaces Iran flag emoji with Lion-and-Sun symbol amid widening protests
Social media platform X has replaced Iran’s official flag emoji with the historic Lion-and-Sun emblem, users noticed on Friday, amid widening unrest in the country.
The update replaces the red emblem introduced after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution with the Lion-and-Sun symbol that appeared on Iranian flags for centuries under the monarchy. The change applies across the platform, meaning even accounts belonging to Iranian officials and state-linked outlets, including Revolutionary Guard-affiliated Tasnim News, now display the pre-revolutionary symbol.
X’s head of product Nikita Bier had indicated on Thursday night that he was working on the update after a user requested the change. By Friday evening, the new emoji appeared to be live, with Iran’s foreign ministry account among those affected.
The lion-and-sun emblem — long associated with the Iranian monarchy — was officially used until the 1979 revolution. After the overthrow of the shah, the new clerical leadership replaced it with the current Islamic Republic emblem and added kufic inscriptions of “Allahu Akbar” along the flag’s stripes.
Since then, the lion-and-sun has largely been embraced by monarchist groups and sections of Iran’s diaspora opposed to the current regime. In recent protests, the symbol has resurfaced alongside chants calling for the return of the monarchy.
The timing of the emoji switch has drawn particular attention. Iranian authorities have imposed sweeping internet restrictions in several areas as protests spread across the country.
The digital shift comes as tensions inside Iran continue to escalate. US President Donald Trump warned Iran’s leaders on Friday as videos circulated showing protests across multiple cities, saying Washington was watching developments “very carefully.”
Iranian rights groups say at least 62 people have been killed in nearly two weeks of unrest, while Iranian state media has shown clashes, fires and damaged infrastructure. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several police officers were killed overnight.
In a televised address, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed not to back down, accusing protesters of acting on behalf of foreign powers. State media has described demonstrators as “terrorists,” language critics say often precedes harsher crackdowns.
The protests — initially sparked by economic distress, soaring inflation and a collapsing rial — have increasingly turned political, with chants directly targeting Iran’s leadership.
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Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Jan 10, 2026
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