A significant wave of protests is sweeping across Iran, characterized by women engaging in highly symbolic acts of defiance. Viral images and videos show Iranian women lighting cigarettes using burning photographs of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This audacious act carries dual meaning: burning an image of the Supreme Leader is a serious crime under Iranian law, and public smoking by women has long been restricted or discouraged. By combining these actions, protesters are explicitly rejecting both the government's authority and stringent social regulations, including compulsory hijab rules. The current unrest, which began in late December 2025/early January 2026, is deeply rooted in Iran's severe economic crisis, marked by soaring inflation, a weakening currency, and escalating food prices. It also builds upon the widespread dissent that emerged following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, after her arrest for allegedly violating dress codes. These demonstrations have escalated into one of the most substantial challenges to the clerical system since the 1979 Islamic revolution. In response, Iranian authorities have reportedly implemented nationwide internet blackouts and cut telephone lines in an attempt to suppress the movement and conceal the extent of human rights violations. Rights organizations have accused security forces of using live ammunition against demonstrators, leading to dozens of reported deaths. The protests have garnered international attention, with US President Donald Trump commenting on the situation and warning of potential intervention. This ongoing 'stir' highlights a profound and evolving struggle for fundamental freedoms and economic stability within Iran.