On the 11th, a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran was held in front of the Iranian Embassy in London, UK. A man climbed the flagpole of the embassy building, pulled down the Iranian flag, and unfurled a flag he had brought, drawing cheers. The background color matched the current national flag, but instead of the central sword and crescent moon, it featured a golden lion and sun. It closely resembled the flag used during the Pahlavi dynasty (1925–1979), which the current ruling regime ousted.
The anti-government protests in Iran, now in their 17th day, have spread beyond borders. The old flag with the lion and sun has been flown not only in major Iranian cities like Tehran but also at gatherings of Iranians abroad, including Paris, France, and California, USA. Protesters waving these flags have even demanded the return of Reza Pahlavi, the last crown prince residing in the U.S. The emblem of the defunct monarchy has emerged as a symbol of resistance against the ruling regime.