Where is the assumption that this was for political reasons coming from??
Even if the story is true and a man did burn himself, there could be a 101 reasons including mental illness.
To all those who think burning oneself will help lead Iran to democracy, I invite you to do it yourself!

LOL that is an appropriate comment for the chosen name. Yes self harm is a psychological problem, however burning oneself is a form of extreme protest. It won't help bring democracy, it will instigate rage against the authorities by society and the care they take of their own people, the rage has a catalytic effect in that it raises peoples awareness that collectively they reject the oppressive values of the corrupt authorities.

If the people haven't / don't feel sufficient rage to push them over the line after all that they have suffered since '79 then this man burned himself in vain, assuming again, that there was a political connection.
What irritates me to no end is how freely those of us living in the 'free world' advocate death and self destruction of those living in Iran, in the name of 'democracy'. Again, the last line of my last comment stands. Az khodetoon maayeh bezarid lotfan.

... As I put in the comments at the same time I posted this news (see the link), this was originally reported by Mehr News Agency (a government backed news agency in Iran).