Politics Protests at Iranian universities continue
In Iran, protests at universities against the authoritarian system of rule are continuing for the third day in a row.
23.02.2026, 12:24
SDA
Female students took part in protests at Alsahra University in the capital Tehran, which only admits women, as Iranian activists reported on Telegram. New demonstrations also took place at the renowned Sharif University of Technology and Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran.
Videos on social media showed female students shouting protest slogans against the political leadership. "Death to the Islamic Republic" could be heard on one video. "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran", shouted the crowd in another recording published by the student newsletter "Amirkabir". This refers to the Iranian leadership's controversial support for militant groups in the region such as Hezbollah.
A doctoral student at Sharif University, which is considered an elite university in Iran, confirmed numerous new demonstrations. He explained that political differences at the universities had also caused new tensions. At the weekend, there were clashes between members of the paramilitary Basij organization and students on the campuses of some universities.
New semester begins with a delay
The new semester began on Saturday with a delay of over a month at numerous universities in Iran. The universities had initially suspended operations following the mass protests at the beginning of January. After the authorities shut down global internet access in the country for a good three weeks, some universities recently resumed teaching with online courses.
Iran's security apparatus had brutally suppressed the most recent mass protests in the country. According to the activist network HRANA, more than 7,000 people were killed, including more than 200 state forces. The most recent demonstrations, initially triggered by the massive economic crisis, were the most serious in years.
The reform-oriented Iranian newspaper "Shargh" also reported on the new student protests, which initially began on Saturday with memorial ceremonies for the demonstrators killed in the uprisings. The long closure of the universities had further radicalized the political positions of supporters and opponents of the state leadership, a Master's student told the paper. "Due to these growing rifts, the university is no longer a safer space than the street."
