Iranian women spark fury, lighting cigarettes with burning Khamenei photos in bold defiance

Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): The ongoing protests in Iran have now taken a sharp and symbolic turn. Women across the country are burning portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and lighting their cigarettes from the flames. This scene, which has gone viral on social media, has become more than just an image but a symbol of the public's simmering anger against Iran's fundamentalist regime, severe economic crisis, and government repression.

The fire has been burning since December, posing a significant challenge to power

These protests, which began in late December 2025, have now emerged as the most significant challenge to Khamenei's regime. Distressed by economic distress, skyrocketing inflation, and a plummeting currency, the public's patience has run out. Despite the government's blackout of internet and telephone services, protesters remain in the streets. They are not only chanting slogans but also targeting government property. This movement is no longer limited to economic issues; it is directly challenging the regime's legitimacy.

Women breaking the double barriers

This act of women lighting cigarettes is being considered highly symbolic and courageous. In fact, damaging or burning a picture of the Supreme Leader is a serious crime in Iran. Furthermore, social and religious norms prohibit women from smoking in public. This act represents a violation of two major rules simultaneously. This protest appears to be an extension of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement that began after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. At that time, women protested by burning their hijabs, but now they are directly expressing their displeasure by burning the supreme symbol of power.

Trump's warning and Khamenei's counterattack

Amid this rising tension, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has labeled the protesters as agents of foreign powers. The issue is also resonating internationally. US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the Iranian government against the violence against protesters. According to reports, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands arrested in firing and repression by security forces. Despite numerous restrictions, this rebellious movement by women is attracting global attention through social media.