Iranian Embassy in Oslo Targeted in Protest by Exiles; Flag Replaced with Pre-Revolution Symbol
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A group of exiles disrupted operations at the Iranian embassy in Oslo, Norway, on Sunday evening, replacing the current Iranian flag with a historical flag dating back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and defacing the building with political slogans. The incident, which occurred late Sunday, is being investigated by Oslo police as both vandalism and a violation of diplomatic representation.
Flag Replacement and Vandalism Confirmed
According to reports from an NTB photographer at the scene, the protesters tore down the Islamic Republic’s flag and hoisted a flag used in Iran prior to the 1979 revolution. One individual spray-painted the phrase “Javid Shah,” meaning “Long live the Shah,” onto an exterior wall of the embassy.
“There has been some damage to a building inside the embassy’s premises,” confirmed operations manager Alexander Østerhaug of the Oslo police district to NTB. Police are actively collecting evidence and attempting to identify the perpetrators, estimating the group size to be between four and five individuals.
Police Response and Security Assessment
Oslo police responded to a report of the incident around 11:35 p.m. on Sunday. Østerhaug noted that the embassy does not have a standing guard, but officers arrived quickly after receiving the alert. The investigation is currently focused on determining the full extent of the damage and identifying those responsible.
Call to Action from Iranian Crown Prince
The incident comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran and a public statement from the Iranian crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, on the social media platform X. Pahlavi called for demonstrations outside Iranian embassies and consulates globally, stating, “All Iranian embassies and consulates belong to the Iranian people, and the time has come for them to adorn themselves with the national flag of Iran instead of the shameful flag of the Islamic Republic.”
This call to action appears to have directly inspired the protest in Oslo, signaling a potential escalation of demonstrations targeting Iranian diplomatic facilities internationally. The incident underscores the deep-seated opposition to the current Iranian regime and the continued desire for a return to pre-revolutionary symbols of national identity among some exiled Iranians.
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