40th-day memorials prove the flame of Iran’s 2026 revolution cannot be extinguished

2026-02-18 - 23:13

On February 17 and 18, 2026, the streets of Iran witnessed a resurgence of defiance that the clerical regime had desperately tried to suppress. Marking the 40th day since the martyrdom of protesters killed during the January 2026 uprising, cities across the nation transformed traditional mourning ceremonies into vibrant political rallies. Far from being moments of passive grief, these gatherings in cemeteries, mosques, and city squares became operational battlegrounds where the people renewed their pledge to overthrow the religious dictatorship. In the lexicon of the Iranian resistance, the 40th day—Chehelom—is no longer merely a ritual of tears and flowers. As witnessed in Tehran, Mashhad, Abdanan, and beyond, it has become a “time of fire, sparks, and light,” a strategic bridge turning the grief of loss into the fuel for the next great leap of the uprising. The roots of the storm The current wave of unrest began on December 28, 2025. It started as an economic stoppage by bazaari shopkeepers and merchants in central Tehran, driven by the rial’s sharp plunge and skyrocketing prices. However, the protests rapidly evolved from economic grievances to a wholesale rejection of the ruling system. In mere days, the movement expanded geographically into dozens of provinces and socially into universities, solidifying into a demand for regime change. The regime responded to the people’s demands with brutal repression, opening fire on protesters and killing thousands of civilians, including more than a hundred children. A nation united in defiance On February 17 and 18, the regime’s security apparatus faced a united front. In Tehran, Behesht-e Zahra cemetery became a focal point of resistance. Despite a heavy security presence, families and supporters gathered to honor the fallen, chanting, “We swear by the blood of comrades, we stand to the end,” and “For every person killed, a thousand are behind him.” The crowds openly targeted the Supreme Leader with chants of “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to this Velayat [Guardianship of the Jurist] for all these years of crime.” Iran Protests | Cities Round-Up Newly received footage shows memorial gatherings and protests continuing across several cities, with participants chanting anti-regime slogans and honoring martyrs of the uprising. Tehran — Andisheh and Behesht Zahra Cemetery Hashtgerd... pic.twitter.com/sRY3k9R65A — SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) February 17, 2026 In the south, in cities like Nurabad Mamasani, Kazeroon, and Kuh-Chenar, the memorials for martyrs Reza Shahrivar and Arian Kashkouli turned into roaring uprisings. Participants declared, “We did not give martyrs to compromise; to praise the murderous leader.” In Mashhad, the atmosphere was equally charged. A ceremony was held for Hamid Mahdavi, a professional firefighter who had become a symbol of empathy and sacrifice after being killed while helping a protester. Although repressive forces attempted to disrupt the ceremony by closing the mosque, the people stood their ground, chanting against the regime. Similarly, at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, students held a memorial for martyrs Mohammad-Mehdi Salari and Parsa Saffar. They emphasized that the university remains a bastion of freedom and that the passage of time will not dim the truth of their sacrifice. Repression and resistance in Abdanan The regime’s response to these memorials remained brutal. In Abdanan, Ilam province, crowds gathered to honor Alireza Seyyedi, a 16-year-old martyr of the uprising. Security forces, including the IRGC, attacked the mourners with armored vehicles and live ammunition, wounding several citizens. To suppress news of the crackdown, the regime cut off internet access and mobile signals in the city. Yet, the people of Abdanan did not retreat, continuing their protests into the evening of February 17 and throughout the following day, chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Neither Shah nor Sheikh.” Voices from the dungeons The spirit of the uprising has also breached the walls of the regime’s prisons. From Yazd Prison, political prisoner Parisa Kamali sent a defiant message on February 15, declaring, “We do not wail or mourn for our brothers and sisters who gave their lives... rather, we are proud of them.” She added, “We are the change we have been looking for.” Meanwhile, from Ghezel Hesar Prison, political prisoner Shahrokh Daneshvar-Kar, who is on death row, warned of political opportunism. He noted that while the people bleed, remnants of the deposed monarchy—referring to the “dictator’s son”—attempt to hijack the movement, effectively aiding the mullahs by distracting from the main goal of overthrowing the religious dictatorship. Maryam Rajavi: A pledge to victory Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), addressed the nation on this occasion. She described the 40th day as a “pledge to carry the fallen’s uprising through to victory.” 40 days on: Tribute to the heroes of the January 2026 uprising- To the mothers, fathers, families, and compatriots across Iran who, on the fortieth day since the loss of your children, stand in mourning and in defiance, This fortieth day of that sea of blood, this fortieth day of... pic.twitter.com/rPP2jLpIm1 — Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) February 17, 2026 Mrs. Rajavi highlighted the regime’s desperation, noting that Khamenei has waged an unrelenting campaign of arrests against tens of thousands, including doctors and nurses who treated the wounded. “They tremble,” she stated, “because the rising cry of resistance and the call for their downfall can be heard everywhere.” She concluded that through organized resistance and the courage of the Resistance Units, victory is drawing near. As the chants of “Cannons, tanks, and machine guns are no longer effective” echo from Tehran to Isfahan, it is clear that the regime’s strategy of terror has failed. The blood of the martyrs has not silenced the nation; it has only watered the tree of liberty.