Students across parts of Iran have taken to the streets again, showing that tensions inside the country remain high.
For a second day, protests were reported at several universities, including demonstrations in the capital, Tehran, and in the northeastern city of Mashhad. Videos shared by local media and rights groups showed students marching, chanting, and in some cases clashing with security forces.
The protests follow earlier anti-government demonstrations that began in December. Those demonstrations were initially driven by economic struggles, such as rising prices and job concerns, but later turned political. Reports described the unrest as one of the most serious waves of domestic tension in the country since the Iranian Revolution.
State television in Iran aired footage claiming that some people were pretending to be students and attacking pro-government demonstrators. According to the broadcast, several students were injured after objects, including rocks, were thrown during confrontations.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that security forces intervened at some campuses and that injuries were recorded. Independent verification of all videos and claims remains difficult, which is common during fast-moving protests.
One widely shared video appeared to show protesters at Sharif University of Technology chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and calling for political change. Some demonstrators referenced exiled royal figure Reza Pahlavi, highlighting the political divide within the country.
The unrest comes at a sensitive moment. Iran is also facing international pressure as it tries to negotiate a nuclear agreement with the United States, while reports suggest a growing U.S. military presence in the region.
For now, the protests show that student activism remains a powerful force in Iran. Whether the demonstrations grow or fade may depend on economic conditions, government response, and ongoing political tensions both inside the country and abroad.
