A striking new form of protest has emerged during Iran’s ongoing unrest, with Iranian women lighting cigarettes using burning photographs of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These images have quickly become among the most powerful and enduring symbols of the anti-government demonstrations that have shaken the country over the past two weeks. In a society marked by strict social controls and severe limitations on women’s freedoms, this act has come to represent open defiance against authority.
The protests, which initially began as demonstrations against economic hardship and rising prices, have steadily intensified despite a violent state crackdown. What started as anger over inflation and unemployment has evolved into a broader rejection of the ruling system itself. Unlike earlier movements that focused on reforms within the framework of the Islamic Republic, the current wave of unrest reflects a deeper sentiment, with many protesters openly calling for an end to the clerical regime and denouncing corruption at the highest levels.
Since December 28, large crowds cutting across age groups have poured into the streets of Tehran and cities across the country. Protesters have chanted slogans such as “Death to Khamenei” and “Pahlavi will return,” signalling not just dissatisfaction with the current leadership but also nostalgia among some for Iran’s pre-1979 political order. A section of demonstrators has openly voiced support for Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch, who was deposed during the Islamic Revolution.
Amid the chants and street demonstrations, the visuals of women setting fire to images of the Supreme Leader to light their cigarettes have drawn widespread attention online. These acts of symbolic rebellion have circulated rapidly on social media, resonating far beyond Iran’s borders. The imagery stands out because it challenges multiple taboos at once, directly confronting political authority while also defying social norms imposed on women.
Such expressions of dissent are not entirely without precedent. Similar acts of symbolic resistance were seen during the mass protests of 2022, which erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody after being detained for allegedly violating dress codes. Those protests marked a turning point in public resistance, particularly among women, and laid the groundwork for the current atmosphere of defiance.
In Iran, burning images of the Supreme Leader is considered a grave criminal offence, and women smoking in public is itself heavily frowned upon or restricted. Past incidents underline the risks involved. Last year, a man who posted a video of himself burning a photograph of Khamenei was found dead in his car only hours later, underscoring the dangers faced by those who openly challenge the regime. Authorities have since warned that protesters who engage in such acts or target government buildings could face the harshest penalties, including death sentences.
Despite these threats, protests have continued unabated. Medical professionals in Tehran have suggested that the death toll from clashes may have reached around 200, reflecting the scale and intensity of the unrest. Alongside the cigarette-lighting protests, unverified videos have also circulated online showing women allegedly burning their headscarves, further challenging the state’s strict enforcement of dress codes.
Commentators and observers have noted the central role women are playing in this movement. Analysts and public figures on social media have described young Iranian women as being at the forefront of resistance against the Islamic regime, highlighting their courage in the face of repression. Many have pointed out that these acts go beyond political protest and represent a broader struggle for personal freedom and dignity.
The defiance has not been limited to younger generations. One widely shared video shows an elderly woman, her face smeared with blood, shouting that she is not afraid and that she has felt “dead for 47 years,” a reference to the length of time since the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Her words have echoed the frustration and exhaustion felt by many Iranians who have lived under the current system for decades.
Since the protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, visible resistance to hijab laws and other social restrictions has steadily increased. Over the past few years, images of women attending universities, public events, and sporting matches without headscarves have become more common. Other dramatic incidents, including women stripping in public or confronting police, have further highlighted the growing willingness to openly challenge state-imposed norms.
Together, these symbolic acts reflect a profound rejection of Iran’s authoritarian and gender-discriminatory policies. The increasing visibility and boldness of women-led protests have added to the pressure facing the country’s leadership, deepening the crisis confronting the Supreme Leader and the system he represents.
