In a powerful act of defiance against Iran’s authoritarian regime, protesters in Qazvin set fire to a statue of Qassem Soleimani on the night of January 8, 2026, right in front of the city’s Governorate building. This bold move, captured in verified footage emerging despite widespread internet shutdowns, symbolizes the growing momentum of nationwide protests demanding freedom, justice, and an end to decades of repression under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Reported by Iran Freedom, the incident highlights the protesters’ determination to dismantle icons of tyranny, as chants of resistance echoed through the streets. Similar acts of vandalism against regime symbols have erupted across Iran, from Lali in Khuzestan to Kashan in Isfahan, where demonstrators torched Soleimani statues and toppled posters, fueling a wave of unrest that has persisted for days.
These protests, sparked by economic hardship, human rights abuses, and the regime’s brutal crackdowns, represent a unified cry from Iranians weary of corruption and isolation. Brave youth, women, and ordinary citizens have taken to the streets in cities like Qazvin, Qom, and Tehran, clashing with security forces while chanting slogans like “Death to the dictator” and calling for the return of democratic values. Despite violent responses from the regime’s mercenaries, including shootings and arrests, the demonstrators’ resolve remains unbroken. In Qazvin alone, protesters forced repressive agents to retreat, turning the torching of Soleimani’s statue into a beacon of hope for a free Iran.
Qassem Soleimani, once hailed by the regime as a hero, was in reality a notorious supporter of global terrorism. As commander of the Quds Force—a branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—Soleimani orchestrated countless operations that sowed chaos across the Middle East. The IRGC and its Quds Force have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States, with Soleimani personally sanctioned for his role in proliferation activities and support for terrorism. He was considered Khamenei’s right-hand man, the second most powerful figure in Iran, directing proxy militias like Hezbollah and Kata’ib Hezbollah to carry out attacks on civilians, diplomats, and military personnel.
Soleimani’s legacy is stained with blood: The Pentagon attributes hundreds of American and coalition service member deaths to him and his forces, along with thousands of injuries. He masterminded bombings, assassinations, and insurgencies in Iraq, Syria, and beyond, fueling sectarian violence and destabilizing regions for Iran’s gain. Eliminated in a 2020 U.S. drone strike near Baghdad, Soleimani’s death also claimed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chairman of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces and leader of the Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah militia. Five Iraqi and four other Iranian nationals perished alongside them. The U.S. justified the action as a defensive measure against Soleimani’s ongoing plots, emphasizing his responsibility for escalating attacks on U.S. interests.
The European Parliament has echoed U.S. concerns, voting to urge the EU to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group, recognizing its widespread involvement in terror activities and human rights violations. Soleimani’s support for terror extended to arming and training groups that targeted innocents, making him a symbol not of strength, but of the regime’s export of extremism.
As protests intensify, these acts against Soleimani’s monuments underscore the Iranian people’s rejection of a regime built on fear and foreign aggression. The world watches as ordinary Iranians risk everything for dignity, proving that the flame of freedom burns brighter than any statue of a terror enabler. With international support, this uprising could mark the beginning of a new era for Iran, free from the shadows of figures like Soleimani.
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