Iran students stage first large anti-government protests since deadly crackdown

Iranian students staged large anti-government protests at several universities across the country on Saturday, marking the first rallies of this scale since a deadly crackdown last month. Demonstrations occurred at Sharif University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, and Amir Kabir University of Technology in Tehran, as well as in Mashhad. Protesters chanted anti-government slogans, including "death to the dictator," referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Scuffles broke out between protesters and pro-government supporters at Sharif University. The protests follow previous demonstrations sparked by economic grievances and coincide with ongoing international discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program.

On February 21, 2026, Iranian students resumed anti-government protests as universities reopened for the new semester. Demonstrations occurred at multiple universities, including Amirkabir University and Sharif University in Tehran, as well as universities in Mashhad and Shahid Beheshti. Students, some wearing black to mourn those killed in prior protests, chanted slogans against the government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protests follow a government crackdown on a previous nationwide movement that was fueled, in part, by student activism. Reports vary, but some sources indicate clashes between opposing groups and arrests by police.