Iranian Women Use Supreme Leader’s Photo to Light Cigarettes

Iranian women are protesting by lighting cigarettes with burning images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a bold act that defies both state authority and social restrictions on smoking. This trend, which has gone viral on social media, occurs amid growing economic hardship and unrest across the country, leading to government crackdowns and internet blackouts. Demonstrators have voiced slogans against the regime and expressed discontent over rising inflation and the leadership’s handling of recent crises. While the protests have not yet reached previous levels, tensions remain high as authorities respond with violence.

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