Iranians dance through tears as they mourn slain protesters

Iranians are holding 40th-day memorial services, known as Chehellom, for protesters killed during a brutal anti-establishment crackdown. These ceremonies have evolved into a new form of protest, combining traditional mourning with defiant acts like dancing and playing music at gravesites. This "festive mourning" directly challenges the state's rigid narrative and has been met with a heavy security presence, leading to clashes in several cities. Despite the risks, families and supporters continue to use these memorials to organize and express dissent against the ruling establishment.