Iran University Protests Enter Fifth Day Amidst Security Presence
Anti-government student protests are continuing across Iran for a fifth day, spreading to universities in Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad, . The demonstrations represent the first large-scale protests since a brutal crackdown on nationwide unrest in January.
Footage verified by BBC Persian and BBC Monitoring shows students chanting anti-establishment slogans on university campuses. The protests began as universities reopened on , following a closure since , officially attributed to “severely cold conditions.” Critics contend the closure was a deliberate attempt to suppress potential demonstrations.
At the University of Pars in Tehran, students were filmed chanting, “This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return,” referencing former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, whose father was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Footage also shows armed security forces on motorcycles near the campus.
Similar scenes are unfolding at Shiraz University in the southern Fars province, where security forces are also reported to be present. Verified footage from both locations underscores a heightened security response to the ongoing protests.
The current wave of demonstrations appears to be a continuation of protests that began in late December 2025, fueled by economic issues, including mismanagement, international sanctions, rising prices, and a depreciating Iranian rial. Political grievances, such as authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and political corruption, are also contributing factors.
Iranian media reports indicate that classes at at least three universities have been moved online, a move likely intended to curb the spread of the protests. This follows a pattern of government response to dissent, including widespread internet shutdowns and arrests.
The protests come after commemorations held across the country last week marking 40 days since the escalation of protests and the ensuing deadly crackdown in January. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), at least 7,000 people were killed in the January crackdown, including 6,488 protesters and 236 children. The Iranian government has confirmed 3,117 deaths.
The unrest is occurring against a backdrop of broader regional tensions. The United States and its European allies suspect Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons development, a claim Iran denies. Negotiations aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program have yielded some progress, but the situation remains volatile.
