Canadian Member of Parliament Roman Baber has joined a viral social media trend inspired by protests in Iran, by burning a photo of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and using it to light a cigar. Baber posted the video on X, captioning it “F Khamenei!” and using the hashtag #FreeIran2026, signaling solidarity with Iranian protesters.
The trend has gained attention after videos appeared online showing Iranian women burning images of Khamenei and, in some cases, setting their headscarves on fire. These acts are seen as symbolic defiance against Iran’s strict social and political rules. Burning a photograph of the Supreme Leader is considered a serious offense under Iranian law, while women smoking or publicly removing hijabs are also heavily restricted in many parts of the country.
The protests, which have occurred in all 31 provinces, were initially driven by rising food prices and inflation but have grown into broader anti-government demonstrations. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 646 people have died and over 10,700 have been arrested during the unrest.
The situation represents one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. International attention is growing, with Tehran maintaining communication with Washington, and U.S. officials emphasizing diplomacy as the preferred approach.