Iranians protesting in Milan replace consulate sign with pre-1979 flag VIDEO

Iranians living in Italy's Milan, who are protesting against the current Iranian government amidst economic crisis, have removed the sign of the Islamic Republic’s consulate and replaced it with a flag featuring the emblem used before the 1979 Islamic Revolution — the lion and sun.

The protesters held the action to express solidarity with their compatriots and to show that the voices of Iranians abroad are being heard, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Reports indicate that large demonstrations by Iranians took place worldwide on January 10, with further actions planned for today, January 11.

This symbolic act expressed direct solidarity with protesters inside Iran, who have increasingly adopted a nod to secular/nationalist aspirations, including support for exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Since late December 2025, Iran has witnessed widespread protests sparked by economic hardship and public dissatisfaction with the government. According to the rights group HRANA, at least 116 people, including 38 security personnel, have died during demonstrations, seven of whom were under the age of 18. Authorities have arrested at least 2,638 people since the protests began.

The 1979 Iranian Revolution (also known as the Islamic Revolution) was a pivotal popular uprising from late 1978 to early 1979 that overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and established the Islamic Republic of Iran under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

By Khagan Isayev