Death to the Dictator

"Death to the Dictator" 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.
The target of these slogans is primarily Ali Khamenei, the current 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.

Background

Islamic Republic period

The slogan has been repeatedly used during the Islamic Republic period following various incidents leading to public dissatisfaction with the regime:
In January 2020, after the deadly downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air defense system, protesters gathered in streets and at the crash site chanting this and other anti-government slogans.
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."
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."

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."

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.