Students in Tehran kicked off the first large Iran student anti-government protests since a deadly crackdown last month. They gathered at major universities on February 21 and 22 to honor thousands killed when security forces crushed nationwide unrest in January. Clashes broke out with Basij paramilitary members. Tension hangs heavy as the country marks 40 days since the worst violence.
Key Takeaways
- Students chanted 'Death to the dictator' and 'Shame on you' at Sharif University, Amirkabir University, and others.
- Protests remember over 7,000 killed in late December 2025 to January 2026 clashes, per rights groups.
- Basij forces pushed back crowds; some reports note fires and arrests.
- Events tie to Shiite mourning traditions 40 days after deaths.
Background
Iran's streets went quiet after one of the biggest waves of unrest since 1979. It started in late December 2025. People took to the roads over money troubles. Prices soared. Jobs vanished. Folks had enough of leaders who promised change but delivered pain. Protests spread fast from cities to small towns. By early January, crowds filled squares in Tehran, Mashhad, and beyond. They called for an end to the regime. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei faced direct anger.
Security forces hit back hard. From January 8 to 10, the crackdown peaked. Gunfire echoed. Tear gas choked the air. Rights groups count at least 7,000 dead. Iran's officials admit over 3,000 lost lives. They blame outside agitators and terrorists. But videos show soldiers firing into crowds. Hospitals overflowed. Families searched morgues for sons and daughters.
And now, 40 days later. Shiite custom calls for memorials then. Universities reopened. Students saw their chance. They planned sit-ins. Peaceful at first. Hold photos of the dead. Light candles. But words turned sharp. Chants rose. 'Death to the dictator.' That's aimed at Khamenei. Old slogans from past uprisings. This time, they honor fresh graves.
The big protests faded after January. Fear kept most home. But students don't forget. Campuses always spark change in Iran. Think 1979 revolution. Professors and kids toppled a king. Today, they eye the clerics. Global eyes watch too. US leaders speak out. Nuclear talks simmer. Bombs hit Iranian sites recently. Pressure builds from all sides.
Key Details
Protests hit several spots in Tehran. Sharif University of Technology saw the first spark on February 21. Students massed outside. They waved Iran's old flag. The one from before the revolution. Chants filled the air. 'Shame, shame.' 'Bi sharaf' in Farsi. That means disgraceful. Videos show crowds facing off. Basij men in plain clothes pushed forward. Fists flew. Some students wore masks. Others held martyr photos.
Amirkabir University joined in. Same day. Tech students there. They yelled 'We swear by our comrades' blood, we'll fight to the end.' University of Tehran too. Gathered by the library. 'Death to the dictator' rang out. Ferdowsi in Mashhad. Iran University of Science and Technology. Khajeh Nasir. All reported rallies. Security tightened. One gate only at some campuses. Basij slipped in. They eyed faces. Took names. Built cases for later.
Clashes and Response
Things turned rough at Sharif. Basij charged. Students shoved back. Reports say motorcycles burned outside a base. Flames lit the night. Security stood by. Didn't stop it. One side chanted pro-regime songs. 'Long live the king' they yelled. Wait, no. That's twisted. Actually 'Javid Shah' but aimed wrong here. Students hit back with 'Basiji, get lost.' Scoundrels, they called them.
Saturday saw big crowds too. February 21. Reopening day for schools. Students poured out slogans. 'This year is blood. Seyyed Ali falls.' That's Khamenei. Officials begged calm. Tehran University's vice president said no backing for violence. Stick to red lines, he warned. Science Ministry posted online. No unsafe campuses. But force came anyway.
At least 30 face death penalties now. Tied to old protests. Amnesty tracks that. Families mourn. One dad spoke out. His son died January 9. Shot in the chest.
"We won't bow our heads no matter the pressure they put on us." – President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a state TV speech.
He blamed world powers. Nuclear talks drag on. US deploys ships nearby. Trump eyes strikes. 'Considering it,' he said February 20. Iranian foreign minister fired back on X. Show proof of death counts, he dared.
Protests spread beyond Tehran. Abdanan saw streets fill. Over arrests of kids and teachers. Chants against Khamenei. Echoes of December. But smaller. Students lead. They link to over 1,500 Venezuelan political prisoners seeking amnesty, where folks fight for release too. And like Palestinian-American teen killed in West Bank, these memorials stir fresh pain.
What This Means
These rallies signal trouble ain't over. Students test the waters. First big move since the bloodbath. If they grow, regime worries. Campuses breed leaders. Past revolts started there. Security knows. Basij on site quick. But clashes boost anger. Each shove fuels the fire.
Nuclear shadow looms. US buildup in the region. Strikes on facilities hit hard. Talks falter. Protests give Tehran headaches. Hardliners push back. Moderates like Pezeshkian talk tough. But streets don't buy it. Death toll disputes rage. Trump says 32,000. No proof. Iran sticks to 3,000. Truth likely higher. Rights watchers push for facts.
Economy hurts too. Sanctions bite. Prices climb. Protests born from that. If unrest returns, oil flows slow. World feels it. Europe watches. Neighbors tense. Israel eyes Iran close.
Students vow more. 'To the end,' they swear. Regime vows control. Basij ready. Arrests loom. But memory of the dead drives them. 40 days mark a turn. Could spark wider waves. Or fizzle under boots. Eyes stay glued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the original protests in December 2025?
Hard times did. Sky-high prices. No jobs. People blamed leaders for years of empty promises. It snowballed into calls to topple the regime.
How many died in the January crackdown?
Rights groups say over 7,000. Iran admits more than 3,000. Real number may top that. Most killings hit January 8-10.
Why do these student protests matter now?
They're the first large ones since the crackdown. At mourning time. Could reignite bigger unrest amid nuclear standoff with the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the original protests in December 2025?
Hard times did. Sky-high prices. No jobs. People blamed leaders for years of empty promises. It snowballed into calls to topple the regime.
How many died in the January crackdown?
Rights groups say over 7,000. Iran admits more than 3,000. Real number may top that. Most killings hit January 8-10.
Why do these student protests matter now?
They’re the first large ones since the crackdown. At mourning time. Could reignite bigger unrest amid nuclear standoff with the US.
