Nike has emerged as an unexpected symbol of resistance in Iran after a protester was photographed scaling a monument while wearing a pair of the company’s shoes.
Why It Matters
Iran is experiencing nationwide unrest after anger at the state of the country’s economy morphed into a wider protest demanding major political change.
The anti-government demonstrations have gone on for over two weeks and have reportedly led to widespread arrests and hundreds of deaths as security forces attempt to crackdown on the protest.
In amongst the ongoing remonstrations, an image of a protester wearing Nike sneakers has emerged as an unexpected symbol of the resistance with the brand’s “Just Do It” slogan and visibility serving as a symbol of defiance in the context of events in Iran.
What To Know
Footage has emerged of a protester raising the Lion and Sun flag; Iran’s ancient emblem since the Safavid era.
The flag is traditionally representative of the ancient Persian monarchy and nationalism. However, in this current context, the flag is serving as a symbol of the rejection of the post-1979 revolution era Ayatollah Khamenei-led theocratic governance and a call for a secular, non-religious Iran.
A video of the flag being raised on a monument by a man wearing Nike sneakers was posted to Instagram by Hanieh Inanlou, who has been attending the demonstrations in Iran. You can watch it here. Newsweek contacted Inanlou for comment.
Mahdi Taghizadeh, a London-based engineering leader and technologist, posted another picture of the man raising the flag. In this image, the Nike sneakers are visible. “This can be the most powerful commercial for @Nike this year,” he wrote alongside the post. The post went viral. It has already been viewed nearly 800,000 times and liked 47,000 times.
Newsweek has contacted Taghizadeh for comment.
This is the second time Nike has made headlines in world news in recent weeks. A little over a week ago, President Donald Trump sent social media into meltdown after sharing an image of captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro wearing a gray Nike tracksuit.
This latest appearance has sparked yet more memes, with many on social media quick to highlight the “wild year” Nike is enjoying after appearing front and center in two huge global events.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. is considering “very strong options” in Iran, as protests enter a third week. “We’re looking at it very seriously,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Trump had earlier warned that America was “locked and loaded” should Iranian forces use lethal violence against demonstrators. He has not confirmed whether military action will follow.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is “prepared for war” but also “ready for negotiations.”
