Why do some Iran protestors wave ‘Israel’s’ flag?

• The current unrest, spanning all 31 provinces by early January 2026, was triggered by a "12-Day War" with ‘Israel’ in June 2025 that crippled Iran’s air defenses and nuclear facilities, leading to a record-breaking 40% devaluation of the rial and a subsequent collapse of public purchasing power.
• In a sharp departure from previous protests, demonstrators have prominently waved pre-1979 "Lion and Sun" banners and ‘Israeli’ flags while chanting slogans rejecting regional groups, signaling a nostalgic or strategic alignment with the "Cyrus Accords" normalization path advocated by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

In recent weeks, protests against the Iranian leadership have increased both within Iran and among its diaspora communities in cities worldwide, with a notable feature being the waving of ‘Israeli’ flags alongside pre-1979 Iranian lion-and-sun banners.

These demonstrations, which began in late December 2025 and spread rapidly across Iran's 31 provinces by early January 2026, reflect frustrations over economic collapse.

The protests were ignited by a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by the devaluation of the Iranian rial following the 12-Day War between Iran and ‘Israel’ in June 2025.

During that conflict started by ‘Israel’, ‘Israeli’ forces disabled much of Iran's air defenses, while US strikes under President Donald Trump targeted nuclear facilities, setting back Iran's program by months or years.

The rial has lost over 40 percent of its value since the war, compounding long-term issues like inflation, sanctions, and the government's prioritization of military spending over public welfare. Protesters decry these policies, viewing them as direct causes of their hardships.

A key element distinguishing this wave of unrest is the apparent pro-‘Israel’ sentiment, manifested through chants such as "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon—my life is only for Iran."

This slogan rejects the Iranian leadership support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, which protesters say it drains resources and invites international isolation.

Historically, this symbolism draws from the Pahlavi era, when Iran maintained close economic and intelligence ties with ‘Israel’ before the Islamic Revolution.

Some demonstrators advocate for the return of the pro-’Israeli’ monarchy, rallying around exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has promoted normalization with ‘Israel’ through initiatives like the "Cyrus Accords" and visited ‘Israel’ in recent years.

Globally, Iranian diaspora groups have organized solidarity rallies in cities such as The Hague, London, Berlin, and others, where ‘Israeli’ flags have been prominently featured.

‘Israeli’ officials have voiced support for the protesters, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the helm.

Many argue that ‘Israel’ is cynically exploiting the protests to advance its own agenda, potentially escalating calls for military action against Iran.

US President Trump has also threatened intervention, adding to the international pressure on the Iranian leadership.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has accused demonstrators of serving foreign interests, while President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for dialogue amid external threats.