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Iran Protests Escalate: 65 Dead, Calls for Overthrow

1/11/2026

22 5 Full Breakdown

Center

Iran Protests Intensify

Protests in Iran enter their 15th day as demonstrators call for overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
The death toll has risen to at least 65, with more than 2,300 arrests.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed not to yield and blames foreign interference.
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged demonstrations and a nationwide strike.
X changed its Iranian flag emoji to the pre-revolution lion and sun emblem.

Right

X Unveils Protest Flag

X removed the Islamic Republic's Iranian flag amid Iran's 14-day protests and now displays the old lion-and-sun flag.
The change followed a request from a user to Nikita Bear, X's head of product, who confirmed the update.
Iranian government accounts removed the flag emoji from their profiles, briefly displaying the protest flag before eliminating it.

History

Historical Context

The Iranian Revolution culminated in 1979 with the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, leading to the establishment of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. This upheaval, marked by over 2,500 deaths during protests, reflected widespread discontent with authoritarian rule. Today’s protests against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei echo this historical struggle, potentially signaling a renewed push for democratic reforms in Iran.

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Iran Protests Intensify

Protests in Iran enter their 15th day as demonstrators call for overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
The death toll has risen to at least 65, with more than 2,300 arrests.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed not to yield and blames foreign interference.
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged demonstrations and a nationwide strike.
X changed its Iranian flag emoji to the pre-revolution lion and sun emblem.

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