Death to the Dictator
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Revolutionary era and presidency
Protests, slogans, and social policy
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Ali Khamenei's signature
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"Death to the Dictator" (Persian: مرگ بر دیکتاتور, romanized: Marg bar Dīktātor) is a widely used political slogan against the Islamic Republic of Iran often chanted by Iranian protesters, especially during the 2022 protests and 2025–2026 protests, in streets and public places or written on walls and public passages.[1][2][3][4]
The target of these slogans was primarily Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The slogan has also been used historically in protests against dictatorial and monarchical regimes in other countries and against the former Shah.[5]
Background
Islamic Republic period
In May 2022, following the sharp increase in prices of essential goods, protests erupted in several Iranian cities with chants of "Death to the Dictator."[6]
In August 2022, amid the water crisis in Khuzestan, protesters in Khuzestan and neighboring provinces opposed water transfers and mismanagement by the IRGC and government, chanting "Death to the Dictator."[7]
2022 Iranian protests
On 3 November 2022, during the 40th day commemoration of some victims of the 2022 Iranian protests in Karaj, large crowds gathered on Beheshti Boulevard chanting slogans such as "Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is invalid," "Death to the Dictator," and "Freedom, Freedom, Freedom."[8]
2025–2026 Iranian protests
The "Death to the Dictator" slogan among other anti-government slogans saw common usage from protesters like bazaar merchants who were discomforted by the high inflation rates and heavily devalued Iranian rial currency.[9][10]
On 28 February 2026, Khamenei was assassinated in an airstrike.
See also
References
- ^ شعار « مرگ بر دیکتاتور» و «مرگ بر خامنه‌ای» در متروی تهران؛ ۳ آبان (in Persian). 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2025-06-22 – via ir.voanews.com.
- ^ تداوم شعارنویسی‌ها؛ شعار «مرگ بر دیکتاتور» بر دیوارهای کرج (in Persian). 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2025-06-22 – via ir.voanews.com.
- ^ Nassauer, Anne (2021-03-02). ""Whose streets? Our streets!": Negotiations of Space and Violence in Protests". Social Problems. 68 (4): 852–869. doi:10.1093/socpro/spaa051. ISSN 0037-7791.
- ^ "مرگ بر دیکتاتور". تریبون زمانه. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "فریاد مرگ بر دیکتاتور در خیابان‌های بانکوک!". روزنامه توسعه ایرانی (in Persian). 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "ایران پرس نیوز | نیویورک تایمز: شعار مرگ بر دیکتاتور در شهرهای ایران". IranPressNews. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Javanehha - 12th day of thirsty uprising - 'Death to the Dictator'
- ^ "40th day of protests; widespread demonstrations and clashes across Iranian cities". Radio Farda. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
- ^ Makoii, Akhtar (2025-12-29). "Protests calling for 'death to the dictator' erupt across Iran". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- ^ Barin, Mohsen (31 December 2025). "Iran's economic crisis, political discontent threaten regime". DW News. Retrieved 31 December 2025.