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Death to Khamenei

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Death to Khamenei (مرگ بر خامنه‌ای; Marg bar Khamenei) is a political slogan in Iran that was first chanted during the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests.[1][2][3][4][5]

The slogan is used as a strong expression against the Supreme Leader of Iran[6] and the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially during protests, as protesters hold Khamenei personally responsible for violent crackdowns.[7]

During the Iran–Israel war (2025), many Iranians chanted protest slogans, notably "Death to Khamenei," to express dissatisfaction with the country's situation. This slogan, which had first appeared in 2009, once again became widely used among protesters. Many citizens would shout it every evening at 8 PM from balconies and windows.[8][9][10][11]

History

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The slogan "Death to Khamenei" was first chanted during the 2009 Iranian election protests,[12] and has since been used repeatedly in subsequent protests.[13][14]

2017–2018 protests

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During the 2017–2018 Iranian protests, slogans such as "Death to Khamenei" and "Khamenei, be ashamed, leave the country" were chanted.[15][16]

2018 protests

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During the 2018 Iranian protests, in addition to "Death to Khamenei," slogans included "No Gaza, No Lebanon, My life for Iran," "Reza Shah, rest in peace," "Enough already, show your honor," "Reformists, Principlists, the game is over," and "Our enemy is right here, they lie it's America."[17]

2019 protests

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In the 2019–2020 Iranian protests, as protests intensified, people chanted "Death to Khamenei."[18]

2020 protests

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During the 2020 Iranian protests following the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense,[19][20][21] protesters chanted against Khamenei and the IRGC, with slogans such as "Death to the Dictator," "Death to Khamenei," "Shame on us, shame on our foolish leader," and "We did not sacrifice lives to compromise and praise the murderous leader."[22]

2021 Khuzestan protests

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During the 2021 Iranian water protests in Khuzestan, people in Izeh held rallies supporting water protests, chanting "Death to Khamenei" and "Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is invalid."[23][24]

At the funeral of Hadi Bahmani, a 17-year-old killed in these protests, people chanted "Death to Khamenei."[25]

In solidarity protests in Tehran, people chanted slogans like "Death to the Dictator," "Death to Khamenei," "From Tehran to Khuzestan, unity, unity," and others.[26]

During the twelfth night of protests, despite severe internet disruptions, protesters chanted "Death to Khamenei" from rooftops and windows.[27]

Meta's content removal

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Amidst the 2021 Iranian protests, Meta removed Instagram posts featuring "Death to Khamenei," citing "content violating anti-violence policies." Activists argued that the slogan expresses opposition to the regime, comparable to "Damn Trump." Meta temporarily allowed posts containing the slogan and later clarified it does not consider it a call to violence.

In January 2023, Meta's Oversight Board ruled that Facebook and Instagram should not censor "Death to Khamenei" posts, stating it expresses a call for regime change rather than violence against Khamenei himself.[28]

2022-2023 nationwide protests

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During the 2022 Iranian protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, slogans "Women, Life, Freedom," "Death to the Dictator," and "Death to Khamenei" became widely used.[29]

Students at Kharazmi University stomped on Khamenei's photo while chanting anti-government slogans.[30]

The slogan was also chanted by diaspora protesters in Berlin.[31]

On November 2, 2022, in northern Chitgar, Tehran, schoolgirls chanted "Death to Khamenei" and "Damn Khomeini."[32]

Nightly rooftop chants of "Death to Khamenei" continued during the protests.[33]

Some media described these protests as a revolution.[34]

Covering 'Death to Khamenei' slogan on school wall - Autumn 2022
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"Khamenei has become Yazid, Yazid is now whitewashed"

"Death to Khamenei, Damn Khomeini"

"Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is invalid"[35]

"Incompetent leader, we don’t want you"[36]

"Khamenei, be ashamed, leave the country"[37]

"Tanks, missiles, fireworks — Khamenei is a pimp"[38]

"This year is bloody, Seyyed Ali will be overthrown"

"Khamenei the Zahhak, we will bury you"[39]

"Dictator, say goodbye"[40]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Latest Iran Protests Reverberate Online". The New York Times. July 31, 2009.
  2. ^ "Marg bar Khamenei chant during the 18 Tir 1388 protests" (in Persian). YouTube. July 9, 2009.
  3. ^ "Tehran - Marg bar Khamenei, August 8, 2009" (in Persian). YouTube. August 8, 2009.
  4. ^ "People chanting Marg bar Khamenei" (in Persian). YouTube. June 20, 2009.
  5. ^ "Commemoration of Neda Agha-Soltan and others, August 2009" (in Persian). YouTube.
  6. ^ "Demonstrators in Iran's Zahedan chant 'death to Khamenei' as protests persist". Al Arabiya English. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  7. ^ "Facebook Says 'Death to Khamenei' Posts Are OK for the Next Two Weeks". Vice. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  8. ^ Fateme Haazar (2025-06-21). "Images of 'Death to Khamenei' slogans from balconies". Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  9. ^ Neda Khal (2025-06-21). "Video of 'Death to Khamenei' chant from Tehran". Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  10. ^ VOA Farsi (2025-06-17). "'Death to Khamenei' chant alongside flames in Tehran". Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  11. ^ "Tehran and Karaj citizens chant 'Death to Khamenei' amidst air defense fire". Iran International (in Persian). 2025-06-16. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  12. ^ "Differences and similarities between 2022 protests and previous nationwide protests". BBC Persian. 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  13. ^ "Protest slogans during December 2019 protests". Radio Farda.
  14. ^ "Iran: Protesters chant 'Death to Khamenei, Death to the Dictator'". Archived from the original on 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  15. ^ "Thursday night, Karaj, Gohardasht: Death to Khamenei" (in Persian). Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  16. ^ "Death to Khamenei, Referendum, this is the people's slogan" (in Persian). Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  17. ^ "Street protests spread to Tehran". euronews. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  18. ^ "Deadly protests in Iran: Bank attacks and 'Death to Khamenei' slogans". RFI. 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  19. ^ "Iran admits IRGC shot down Ukrainian plane". VOA Persian.
  20. ^ "Iranian armed forces: The plane downed due to human error". Fars News. 2020-01-11.
  21. ^ "Iran: Ukrainian plane shot down due to human error". BBC Persian. 2020-01-11.
  22. ^ "From 'This is the final month' to 'Commander-in-chief, resign!'". Radio Farda.
  23. ^ "Khuzestan protests; 'Death to Khamenei' slogan and burning of war tank". BBC Persian. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  24. ^ "Protests spread to Izeh; civil activists temporarily arrested". Iran International. 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  25. ^ "Hadi Bahmani's funeral held with mass participation". VOA Persian. 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  26. ^ "Tehran protests in solidarity with Khuzestan". RFI. 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  27. ^ "12th night of protests; chants of 'Death to Khamenei' in Tehran and Karaj". VOA Persian. 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  28. ^ "Meta Oversight Board: Facebook and Instagram should not censor 'Death to Khamenei'". BBC Persian. 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  29. ^ "Mahsa Amini's death sparks protests; 'Women, Life, Freedom' chanted". Radio Farda. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  30. ^ "Mahsa Amini's death triggers protests across Iran". Iran International. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  31. ^ "Crowd chants 'Death to Khamenei' at Berlin rally". Arab News. 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  32. ^ "Teen girls chant 'Death to Khamenei, Damn Khomeini'". Independent Persian. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  33. ^ "Night chants of 'Death to Khamenei' and 'Death to the Dictator' in Tehran". 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  34. ^ "Majid Mohammadi". Independent Persian. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  35. ^ "Mass protests and international reactions following Mahsa Amini's death". Kayhan London. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  36. ^ "Protests continue in Abadan and other cities; death toll rises". BBC Persian. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  37. ^ "Protesters chant 'Khamenei be ashamed, leave' in Aligudarz". Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  38. ^ "Currently in Tehran: 'Tanks, fireworks, Khamenei is a pimp'". Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  39. ^ "Protests expand with 'Years of crimes, death to this rule' slogans". Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  40. ^ "Protest balloons fly with 'Dictator, say goodbye' slogan".
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Graffiti of 'Death to Khamenei'

Students chant 'Death to Khamenei' during government official's visit

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