Outcry after Iranian man who burned supreme leader's photo found dead in car

The death of a young Iranian man who filmed himself burning a photo of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has triggered outrage among the country’s activist circles.

Omid Sarlak, said to be in his 20s, was found dead in his car in western Iran with a gunshot wound to his head. State-run media reported that police found traces of gunpowder on his hands and described the incident as a suicide.

However, many Iranians have rejected the official explanation, calling Sarlak’s death suspicious, especially since it occurred just hours after he posted a video online in which he burned Khamenei’s picture in protest.

Anger intensified after footage circulated showing Sarlak’s father at the scene of his son’s death, saying, “They killed my champion here.” In the same clip, another voice was heard claiming that Sarlak was “surrounded and shot.”

State television later aired an interview with Sarlak’s father, in which he urged people “not to believe what is being shared on social media” and to let authorities investigate.

Activists dismissed the remarks as coerced, alleging that the family was being pressured by security forces.

The case has fueled a new wave of public anger, with Iranians sharing messages of solidarity online and accusing the government of silencing dissent through fear and violence.