2025 Iran signpost protest

The 2025 Iran signpost protest began in February 2025, when numerous "No Entry" signs across Tehran, Karaj, and Hamadan were altered with a green line replacing the standard white one. The purpose and organizers remain unknown, and the signs seem to be in part of a message of definace against the regime with the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Some interpret it as a broader message of defiance, contrasting red (symbolizing prohibition and repression) with green (hope and resistance). The protest aligns with past acts of dissent, where citizens have modified traffic signs and used graffiti, murals, and banners to protest against the regime.
In recent years, there were protests against the Iranian regime stemming from political repression, economic hardship, and social restrictions. Demonstrators oppose government corruption, human rights violations, and lack of political freedoms. Economic issues, including inflation and unemployment, have further fueled public discontent. Additionally, restrictions on personal freedoms, censorship, and crackdowns on dissent have led to widespread unrest. Protesters demand democratic reforms, greater civil liberties, and an end to authoritarian rule.
The use of street signposts as platforms for political expression in Iran is a notable form of protest. This method allows demonstrators to convey powerful messages and challenge authority by repurposing public infrastructure. In January 2016, there was a case where the road where the Saudi embassy is located in Tehran was changed to "Nimr Baqir al-Nimr Street" in January 2016. This form of protest is part of a broader historical context of street naming and renaming in Iran, which has been used to shape collective memory and identity. After the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian regime engaged in a widespread renaming of streets and public spaces as a means of "de-commemorating" the pre-revolutionary regime and establishing a new religious collective identity. This process involved eliminating national and non-religious memories associated with Iranian culture and the previous regime and replacing them with names that reflected Shia traditions and memories. The practice of using street names for political expression extends beyond official state actions. Citizens and protesters have adopted similar tactics to voice their dissent and challenge the status quo. For example:
These actions demonstrate how Iranians creatively use public spaces and symbols to express political dissent, even in the face of severe restrictions on freedom of expression. The renaming of streets or placement of symbolic signage serves as a powerful tool for drawing attention to specific issues and challenging authority within the public sphere. It is important to note that such acts of protest often face significant risks in Iran. The government has imposed strict limitations on freedom of expression and has responded to various forms of protest with crackdowns, arrests, and internet shutdowns.
On February 8, 2025, numerous 'No Entry' signs in various areas of Tehran were painted with a green line, replacing the white line in the middle. Similar modifications were reported in the cities of Karaj and Hamadan. The individuals responsible for this action and their intentions remain unidentified.
The modification of the signs has been subject to multiple interpretations: Some social media users suggested that the green color turned the altered signs into a statement meaning "No entry for Islam, mullahs, and Sayyids." According to Iran International, In Islamic culture, the color green is often associated with positive characters (saints versus villains).
Others have interpreted the usage of green as representing hope, life, and the idea of liberty, contrasting with red as a symbol of danger, prohibition, and protest. The combination of these colors has been viewed as a metaphor for the struggle between repression and the desire for change in Iran.