LONDON, January 10, 2026 – A daring protester climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian Embassy in west London on January 10, removing the official flag of the Islamic Republic and hoisting the historic Lion and Sun flag, a pre-1979 revolution emblem widely used by opponents of the current regime.
The incident, captured in a viral video circulating on social media, shows the man—dressed in a black jacket and jeans—perilously balancing on the embassy’s first-floor balcony ledge. He detached the green, white, and red tricolor bearing the Islamic Republic’s emblem and replaced it with the older version featuring a golden lion holding a sword against a rising sun in the center.
The act took place during a demonstration outside the embassy, where hundreds of protesters gathered, many waving the Lion and Sun flag in solidarity with anti-regime sentiments. Cheers erupted from the crowd below as the new flag unfurled.
The Lion and Sun flag, Iran’s official banner before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has become a potent symbol for Iranian diaspora communities and opposition groups critical of the current government, including monarchists and pro-democracy activists.
Footage of the protest quickly spread online, amassing hundreds of thousands of views within hours. The original video was shared widely, highlighting the protester’s bold maneuver atop the historic building in Kensington.
British authorities and the Iranian Embassy have not yet issued official statements on the incident, though reports indicate the original flag was restored shortly afterward. No immediate details on arrests or injuries have been confirmed.
This event underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s political situation, with expatriate communities in Europe frequently voicing support for change inside the country.
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