Jordan Daily – X platform updated the emoji Friday, showing a lion holding a sword under a radiant sun on the tricolor flag for all users, including Iranian state accounts.
This pre-1979 design represents strength and royalty in Persian history and serves as an opposition emblem amid current street protests, economic woes, and anti-government chants.
While opposition voices celebrated the change, pro-regime users called it illegitimate meddling, and Ayatollah Khamenei removed the emoji from his display name. Petitions now push Apple, Google, and Meta to adopt it too.
