How to recognise Iran in a street photo

Dropzone #3 · 29 October 2026

Tehran Province

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How to tell

1. Iranian flags lining road: Green-white-red with a red emblem in the middle means Iran.
2. Green Persian sign: Persian script above small English text on green is standard Iranian expressway signage.
3. Painted kerbs and barriers: Kerbs painted in alternating colours and yellow-black barrier posts are common across Iranian cities.

The first thing that jumps out is the endless row of flags, and the red emblem in the white band settles the country before you look anywhere else. The green sign confirms it: Persian script, which looks Arabic, sits above smaller English text. That rules out Arabic-speaking neighbours, which use different flags. Big multi-lane expressways, dusty mid-rise blocks and dry summer haze point to a large city, and Tehran is the safest pin for Iranian urban highways. A habit worth carrying elsewhere: Iranian kerbs are often painted in bold alternating colour bands, and the dry, pale light with planted trees along the roads is typical of the country.

Easily confused with

• Tajikistan: Tajik flag has a gold crown and stars; signs use Cyrillic.
• Iraq: Iraqi flag is red-white-black with green Arabic writing.

Remember: Persian script plus green-white-red flags with a red emblem means Iran.