TEHRAN - The self-immolation of a 25-year-old US airman on February 25 outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC is a solitary act of deep moral outrage against the Western complicity in the Gaza tragedy.

Aaron Bushnell's final words before pouring flammable liquid on himself and setting himself on fire are a poignant reminder to those who still have the spark of humanity alive within them:

"I am an active duty member of the United States Air Force. And I will no longer be complicit to genocide. I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest. But compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers—it's not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal."

Aaron tragically ended his own life; and as the flames engulfed him from head to toe like a phoenix, he repeatedly shouted in a resounding voice: Free Palestine! His membership in the US Air Force and self-immolation in military uniform elevate this brave and eternal young man's act, as the US military is directly involved in the genocide of the oppressed citizens of Gaza. The people of Gaza are being torn apart and burned alive with full support from the US military and American bombs.

Bushnell could have, like many others, settled for the mainstream American media narrative, expressed maximum regret, and questioned what difference one person like him could make, thus easing his conscience. However, he did not want to be a cog in this killing machine and was more awake than to settle for mere expressions of regret or even protests.

America's shameful policy towards the massacre of the people of Gaza once again showed itself in the case of Bushnell. Mainstream American media outlets try to diminish and even suffocate public awareness with two labels, the first label being that they want to accuse him of having a mental disorder. One must truly ask whether this brave young man is suffering from a mental disorder or American leaders, who have so far turned a blind eye to the massacre of 30,000 Palestinian citizens and continue to support the criminal regime of Israel, are the ones with a disorder?

The second label is the claim of Bushnell's connection with extremist groups. This accusation is neither new nor surprising. In the eyes of the West, anyone who resists their colonialism is considered extremist. Even Palestinians who have been displaced from their land for 75 years and resist against Israel are labeled as extremists.

Despite all efforts to distort and sully him, Bushnell's name will be recorded in the history of resistance and freedom.

Rest in power, martyr Aaron.