In a striking act of defiance, an Iranian dissident was filmed in Tehran holding both the pre-revolutionary Iranian Lion and Sun flag and the Israeli flag—a bold display that has drawn international attention amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.
The footage, shared widely on social media by journalist Nioh Berg, identifies the individual as @Mosolchi, an outspoken critic of the Iranian regime. The act took place in a highly charged political climate, where such public dissent is rare and often met with severe consequences.
According to the post, @Mosolchi publicly thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for recent airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. He also called on Israel to support Iran’s exiled royal family, the Pahlavi dynasty—overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution—signaling a desire among some Iranians for a return to monarchical rule.
This gesture comes on the heels of a series of direct military confrontations between Iran and Israel. Notably, an April 2024 Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus intensified regional tensions, prompting retaliatory measures from Iran and signaling a new phase of open hostilities between the two rivals.
The public display of both the Israeli flag and the emblem of Iran’s former monarchy underscores the deep political divisions within Iranian society. While the current regime maintains tight control over public expression, particularly in opposition to its stance on Israel, the video reflects a growing sentiment among dissidents who seek international support for regime change.
Security forces have not yet commented on the incident, but experts warn that such acts of protest may provoke further crackdowns as Iran continues to navigate both internal unrest and external threats.