US Representative Claudia Tenney has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to show solidarity with Iranian protesters by posting a photo of herself lighting a cigarette with a burning image of Ali Khamenei.
The gesture mimics a viral trend started by women inside Iran.
The campaign began when an Iranian girl posted a video of herself lighting a cigarette with the burning photo of the Supreme Leader, symbolizing defiance.
Tenney’s participation marks a significant public endorsement of these specific protest tactics by a US official.
The image has circulated widely, highlighting the growing international attention on the creative and defiant methods being used by protesters.
It underscores the deep divide between the Iranian leadership and the protest movement supported by Western figures.
Cloudflare