The United States has strongly condemned the death of Omid Sarlak, a young Iranian activist who was found dead in western Iran days after posting a video of himself burning a photo of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a statement posted in Persian on X, the US State Department said the “suspicious timing and circumstances surrounding Sarlak’s death strongly suggest regime involvement,” calling it another example of “the Iranian regime’s brutal repression of dissent.”
Sarlak’s body, riddled with bullets, was discovered in the city of Aligoudarz after he shared a video criticizing Iran’s leadership. Authorities have said his death was a suicide, but family members and rights activists have rejected the explanation.
The State Department added that the United States “stands firmly with the people of Iran in their struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom.”
Videos from Sarlak’s funeral on Monday showed crowds chanting “Death to Khamenei” in one of the largest public outpourings of anti-government anger in recent months.
His death came as senior Iranian clerics renewed calls for severe punishment of those who insult or threaten the supreme leader, with one saying such acts amount to “waging war against God” and warrant the death penalty.
