What phrase is repeated 22 times along the borders of Iran's national flag?

The phrase repeated 22 times along the borders of Iran’s national flag is “Allahu Akbar.”

The Arabic takbir appears in white Kufic script along the boundaries between the green and white bands and between the white and red bands. It is written 11 times along each edge, producing 22 repetitions in total.

“Allahu Akbar” means “God is greatest.” The number 22 is commonly understood as a reference to 22 Bahman, the date in Iran’s Solar Hijri calendar associated with the 1979 Islamic Revolution’s victory. The current flag was adopted in 1980 after the revolution.

A common mix-up is to identify the phrase as “Bismillah,” another important Islamic expression. Iran’s flag does feature a red emblem representing the word Allah, but the repeated border inscription is the takbir, not Bismillah.