Flag in dispute: Iranian embassy in Brazil criticizes the X after changing it to an opposition symbol

On the left, flag of Iran before the 1979 revolution, with signs of Persian culture not linked to the Islamic religion (sun and lion), and after the revolution, with the name of Allah in the center Reproduction The Iranian Embassy in Brazil criticized X (formerly Twitter) for changing the emoji of the country’s official flag to the version used before the 1979 Revolution — a symbol now adopted by the opposition to the Islamic regime. In a statement, the diplomatic representation called the change “unprofessional” and asked Brazilians to only use the colors green, white and red (🟩⚪️🟥) to refer to the nation, which has faced violent protests since the beginning of 2026. 📱Download the g1 app to see news in real time and for free US and Israel return to bombing military targets in Iran, despite Trump talking about negotiations to end the war The demonstrations began in the face of popular dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation: The population faces high inflation, above 40% per year. In 2025 alone, the local currency lost around half its value against the dollar and reached an all-time low. Discontent also grew in the face of inequality between ordinary citizens and the country’s elite, in addition to allegations of corruption in the government. In addition to the economy, the war waged with the United States and Israel was also on the protesters’ agenda. And, amid the protests, the old Iranian flag resurfaced. The national standard was used before the 1979 Revolution, without the religious emblem adopted after the creation of the Islamic Republic. This flag, however, also ended up being adopted by others: X, formerly Twitter. Elon Musk’s social network changed the country’s flag in the emoji section to the one used in the 70s, which generated a reaction from the Iranian embassy in Brazil. “The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Brazil, thanking the dear Brazilian people for their manifestation of solidarity with the Iranian people during the aggressive action of the regimes of the United States and Israel, hereby informs the noble Brazilian citizens: Considering that the social network “X” (formerly Twitter), in a completely unprofessional action devoid of any legal justification, changed, in the emojis section, the logo contained in the center of the official flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran Iran, it is requested that, when using the Iranian flag emoji, the symbols of the three colors green, white and red are used, as shown in this image: 🟩⚪️🟥.” Initial plugin text The new (old) flag in use The symbol has been rescued by Iranians — and now by X — who oppose the current government. For many, the old flag represents a national identity separate from the regime and has become a mark of protests, tributes and public events. Whether it’s older people who miss Shah Reza Pahlavi, a dictator deposed in 1979, or young people who didn’t even experience the monarchy, part of the Iranian community around the world already has a defined profile: it is against the Islamic Republic. In an interview with Fantástico, engineer Said Valehi, who lives in Toronto, Canada, said: “I want Brazilians to know that this is our true flag”. There, protesters gathered hundreds of people in support of opponents killed during recent protests in the country. In another symbolic act, participants ran through the streets in subzero temperatures to honor athletes who, according to activists, were murdered. The use of the old flag, increasingly common in diaspora events, reflects a feeling that goes beyond nostalgia: the gesture functions as a political protest and as an attempt to project a different future for the country.

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