News|ProtestsIranian students rally as universities reopen after nationwide protestsMany students remain incarcerated after being taken by security forces during and after the bloody protests in January.
On Sun, Feb 21, 2026, Iranian universities in Tehran and across the country witnessed significant student demonstrations following a reopening after nationwide protests. The protests, primarily on Jan 8 and 9, occurred during a communications blackout,…
On Sun, Feb 21, 2026, Iranian universities in Tehran and across the country witnessed significant student demonstrations following a reopening after nationwide protests. The protests, primarily on Jan 8 and 9, occurred during a communications blackout, amidst heightened tensions with the United States and Israel.
The protests at leading educational institutions, including the University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University, and Shahid Beheshti University, involved clashes between students opposing the establishment and those supporting the theocratic state. Security forces were heavily present outside the universities, with reports of confrontations at the University of Tehran.
Protests also took place at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Security forces were reported to have charged at students inside the university.
In the village of Abdanan in Ilam province, crowds gathered to welcome the release of a retired teacher who had been arrested by security forces.
Many students have been detained during and after the protests. Iranian authorities have not provided specific arrest figures.
On Sun, Feb 21, 2026, Iranian universities in Tehran and across the country witnessed significant student demonstrations following a reopening after nationwide protests.
In Tehran, discrepancies were noted between state media reports and footage from grassroots organizations. State media depicted pro-establishment Basij students burning flags and chanting slogans, while grassroots footage showed anti-establishment slogans and student confrontations with Basij members.
State media claimed pro-establishment students commemorated victims of “foreign-backed riots” and accused anti-establishment protesters of responsibility for January's unrest.
The Iranian government reports 3,117 fatalities, attributing them to “terrorists” and “rioters” backed by foreign entities. This contrasts with claims from international bodies and human rights organizations, which attribute the deaths to state security forces.
Iranian authorities demand evidence from the international community while rejecting a UN fact-finding mission and maintaining strict internet restrictions. A local fact-finding mission has been announced, but no timeline for results has been provided.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports over 7,000 verified fatalities and is investigating additional cases. UN estimates suggest more than 20,000 civilian deaths, with US President Donald Trump suggesting 32,000 fatalities.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
