‘Our classrooms are empty because the graveyards are full’: Iran’s students on why they are protesting again

Students across several universities in Iran gathered to protest again, despite a heavy security presence and plainclothes officers stationed outside university gates. The protests began on Saturday, marking the start of the new academic term, and have spread to universities across Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad. Protesting students are boycotting classes due to the deaths of thousands of protesters in January's crackdown, with at least 7,000 confirmed killed and another 11,700 under investigation. The protests are fueled by the regime's labeling of dissenters as foreign-backed agents, which students claim is a tactic to silence them. Students are demanding freedom and peace for future generations, willing to risk their lives to achieve this goal. Protests have been ongoing since smaller demonstrations began weeks ago among medical students.

Anti-government protests escalated across Iran on Sunday, with clashes reported at major universities and in the streets of Tehran. Students gathered in Tehran and Mashhad to commemorate those killed in January's anti-government demonstrations, leading to violence. Reports indicate tear gas and shots were fired by security forces in response to protests where demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and criticized Iranian leaders. Some students reportedly defaced images of Supreme Leader Khamenei. State TV claimed that some individuals disguised as students attacked pro-government protesters. Opposition groups described a forceful response by authorities, including the use of tear gas against demonstrators.

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.