In a dramatic resurgence of anti-government unrest, student-led protests have once again rocked Iran, with demonstrators chanting slogans condemning the regime and its leadership.
On Saturday, Tehran’s top engineering university saw large crowds clashing in packed areas, with students shouting “Death to the dictator” and other anti-Khamenei slogans, according to videos shared on social media.
These fresh protests come weeks after a violent crackdown on widespread anti-government demonstrations that left thousands dead. The protests, which initially began over economic grievances in December, have evolved into a broad-based movement against Iran’s clerical regime. The violence and repression during the previous protests left many activists calling for reforms or the complete overthrow of the government.
Protests at Major Universities:
Footage from Sharif University of Technology, one of Tehran’s most prestigious institutions, showed students denouncing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “murderous leader” and urging Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s toppled shah, to lead the country in the future. The chant “bi sharaf” (disgraceful) echoed across the university grounds, a clear sign of growing discontent with the regime’s handling of the protests and its brutal crackdown.
Similar scenes were reported at Beheshti University, Amir Kabir University, and Mashhad University, where protests were also met with force. Security forces, including paramilitary units tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were deployed to suppress the unrest. Fars news agency later reported injuries from clashes at Sharif University, as protesters faced violent repression.
“Death to Khamenei” Chanted Across the Country:
Protests also spread to other cities, including Abdanan, a known hotspot for resistance activities, where demonstrators chanted “Death to Khamenei” after the arrest of an activist teacher. According to rights group Hengaw, the unrest in Abdanan has become a symbol of the ongoing fight against Iran’s authoritarian government.
Videos from the protests in Tehran and Mashhad were released by the rights group HAALVSH, showing massive crowds gathered in defiance of the government’s oppressive measures. Demonstrators have also voiced their support for Reza Pahlavi, whose calls for a return to a monarchic system are gaining momentum among parts of the population.
Government Crackdown and Death Toll:
The recent surge in protests follows a series of violent crackdowns during last month’s demonstrations, which the government claims were fueled by “terrorist acts” orchestrated by external enemies of Iran. Authorities say more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, while human rights organizations like the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) report that the death toll may exceed 7,000, with most victims being protesters.
While Iranian officials initially acknowledged the legitimacy of the economic protests, they later shifted blame for the unrest onto foreign powers, particularly the United States and Israel, accusing them of instigating the “riots.”
Tensions with the US:
The protests come at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the US. The US government, under President Donald Trump, had earlier threatened military action following the crackdown, although focus shifted to Iran’s nuclear program, which Western nations fear could be used to develop nuclear weapons. Recently, the US has ramped up its military presence in the region, sending two aircraft carriers, jets, and other weapons to support its warnings.
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, Oman-mediated talks have been restarted between the US and Iran, focusing on a potential deal, though a resolution remains far from certain.
