Iranian 40‑Day Memorials Met With Gunfire and Rooftop Defiance
Updated (2 articles)
40‑Day Chelelom Gatherings Draw Hundreds Across Iran Families and supporters assembled on Feb 18‑19 to mark the 40th‑day remembrance of the Jan 8‑9 crackdown, a tradition known as chelelom [1][2]. Crowds of several hundred gathered in Abdanan, Mashhad and other towns, chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to America” while some participants shouted from balconies and rooftops [1][2]. Security forces responded with armored vehicles, tear‑gas canisters and, in at least one instance, live fire [1][2].
Armed Security Official Fires on Abdanan Mourners Video released by the BBC shows a uniformed security official firing two shots from an armored vehicle as mourners stood in the Abdanan cemetery, producing smoke and prompting panic [2]. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Feb 18, and was captured by multiple bystanders; state‑run IRIB later claimed the event was peaceful and reported no injuries, contradicting the footage [2]. AP also reported that security forces used armored vehicles and tear‑gas to disperse participants in several locations [1].
Chants Target Khamenei, America and Regime Figures Protesters repeatedly shouted “Death to Khamenei,” “Death to America,” and “For every person killed, a thousand more stand behind him” during the memorials [1][2]. Rooftop slogans echoed the same anti‑regime messages in Tehran’s affluent districts, reinforcing the defiant tone of the gatherings [1]. A billboard featuring Alireza Seydi, a teenager killed in earlier protests, linked local loss to the broader movement [2].
Death Toll Estimates Vary Between Official and Activist Sources Iranian authorities have officially recorded at least 3,117 deaths from the Jan 8‑9 crackdown, while the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) counts more than 7,000 dead and over 53,000 arrests [1][2]. BBC cites HRANA’s figure of 7,015 protest deaths and 53,000 detentions, highlighting the disparity with government numbers [2]. Both outlets agree that thousands have been detained since the protests began in late December [1][2].
U.S. Carrier Group Positions Near Iran During Negotiations The United States has deployed aircraft carriers and fighter jets to the region, publicly threatening strikes on Iran even as diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear program continue [1]. BBC’s coverage does not mention the U.S. naval presence, focusing instead on the on‑ground violence [2]. The juxtaposition underscores heightened regional tension alongside domestic unrest.
Sources
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1.
AP: Iranians Hold Defiant 40‑Day Memorials Amid Crackdown and U.S. Pressure – Details rooftop chants, hundreds attending memorials, U.S. carrier deployment, economic collapse, and some protesters supporting exiled crown prince
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2.
BBC: Security Official Fires on Mourners During 40‑Day Commemoration in Iran – Provides video evidence of gunfire in Abdanan cemetery, confirms chants, notes state media denial, and cites HRANA death and arrest figures
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Timeline
Late Dec 2025 – Protests erupt across Iran after a disputed election, marking the start of a wave of dissent that later triggers a massive security crackdown; HRANA later records over 7,000 deaths and 53,000 arrests linked to these demonstrations [1].
Jan 8‑9, 2026 – Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei orders a security operation that sweeps Tehran and other cities, killing at least 3,117 people according to official counts and more than 7,000 according to HRANA, while arresting tens of thousands, fueling nationwide anger and setting the stage for 40‑day memorials [2].
Feb 18, 2026 – Security forces open fire from an armored vehicle on mourners gathered at the Abdanan cemetery for the 40‑day chehel‑om ceremony, discharging two shots that send smoke and panic through the crowd; witnesses hear chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Khamenei” as families honor victims like teenager Alireza Seydi [1].
Feb 2026 – Iranians hold defiant rooftop and balcony protests during the 40‑day memorials, shouting “Death to the dictator!” and “For every person killed, a thousand more stand behind him,” while security deploys tear‑gas and armored vehicles to disperse several hundred participants in towns such as Abdanan and Mashhad [2].
Feb 2026 – The United States positions aircraft carriers and fighter jets in the Persian Gulf and publicly threatens strikes on Iran, heightening tension even as diplomatic talks on Tehran’s nuclear program continue [2].
2025‑2026 – Iran’s economy spirals into “mass depression,” with the rial collapsing, prices soaring, and basic goods like fruit becoming luxuries, deepening public despair amid the political crackdown [2].
Feb 2026 – A segment of demonstrators openly backs exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and welcomes possible U.S. military action, saying they are “tired” and see foreign strikes as a potential end to the violence [2].