Students from several universities across Iran united in protests against the government, marking the largest demonstration since last month's bloody crackdown on protesters. Meanwhile, tensions with the United States continue to escalate after President Donald Trump threatened military action within 10 days.
BBC News verified footage from Saturday (21 Feb) showing a large group of students marching in protest within Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, coinciding with the start of the new academic term.
Protesters waved national flags and chanted the fiery slogan "Down with the dictatorship," referring to the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. There were also reports of clashes between student protesters and pro-government supporters gathered nearby.
In addition to Sharif University, protests occurred at other locations across Tehran and major cities. At Shahid Beheshti University, students held a peaceful sit-in, while at Amirkabir University of Technology, chants calling for the government's ouster were heard. In Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city in the northeast, students gathered to demand freedom and legitimate rights.
These protests aimed to mourn the thousands of victims who died during the large-scale January demonstrations, which began over economic issues before escalating into calls to remove the government.
Information from Hrana, a U.S.-based human rights organization, confirms at least 6,159 deaths, including 92 children and 214 government officials, with ongoing investigations into over 17,000 additional reported deaths. Iranian authorities claim around 3,100 deaths, mostly security personnel or civilians harmed by rioters.
The situation in Iran unfolds amid a global security crisis, with the U.S. and European allies suspecting Iran of developing nuclear weapons. Although negotiations in Switzerland last Tuesday showed some progress, President Donald Trump issued a threatening statement: "The world will know within the next 10 days whether an agreement can be reached or the U.S. will have to take military action."
Currently, the U.S. is steadily increasing its military presence near Iranian territory, while some opposition groups abroad advocate for Trump to use military force swiftly to overthrow Iran's hardline government.
While protesters call for continued demonstrations today (22 Feb), an intense information war is unfolding on social media. Both sides attempt to portray differing images of the true desires of the Iranian people amid fears the country is heading toward conflict with Western powers.
,BBC