Ayatollah Khomeini’s Ancestral Home Set on Fire by Protesters

Protesters in Iran have set fire to the ancestral home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, as two months of anti-regime demonstrations continue unabated.

Footage posted to social media shows a portion of the structure in the city of Khomein on fire. The location of the videos has been confirmed by news outlets; however, Iranian officials have denied an arson attack.

The state-run, semi-official Tasnim news agency, which is associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, refuted the reports, stating that the residence-turned-museum was still open.

Former leader Khomeini, who led the Islamic revolution in the country in 1979, is claimed to have been born at the house in the town of Khomein, from which his surname derives.

Khomeini passed away in 1989, but the clerical administration of his successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continues to venerate him.

Iran’s ongoing protests began on September 16th in response to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after her arrest for reportedly not covering her hair properly with a hijab.

Those taking to the streets have been met with violent repression from authorities, as well as the threat of execution with parliament voting in favor of the measure. Such tactics seem to have done little to quell discontent though, with protests growing in size and ferocity each day.