Renewed Student Protests Across Iranian Universities Reflect Political Fragmentation and Continued Grievances

Universities across Iran have witnessed renewed student protests following the reopening of campuses after the deadly January (Dey month) demonstrations. Over the past three days, multiple institutions in Tehran and other major cities have experienced gatherings, memorials for those killed in the earlier unrest, and clashes between students and pro-government groups. The protests underscore two parallel dynamics: continued student mobilization despite prior repression and deep ideological fragmentation within the opposition landscape on campuses.

Since universities reopened, students have organized daily gatherings at Sharif University of Technology, University of Tehran, Amirkabir University, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran University of Science and Technology, Khaje Nasir University, Alzahra University, and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, as well as at medical universities in Tehran and Mashhad. Many of the gatherings were framed as memorials marking the fortieth day since the January protest deaths, a significant milestone in Iranian mourning traditions. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Death to the dictator,” “By the blood of our comrades, we stand until the end,” and “We did not give blood to compromise,” reflecting continued anger over the state’s violent crackdown and unresolved political grievances.

Unlike previous waves of campus unrest that were more ideologically unified, the current protests reveal the presence of at least three identifiable political tendencies. Monarchist-leaning students at several universities referenced pre-1979 institutional names and chanted slogans including “Long live the Shah” and “Pahlavi is coming back.” In at least one instance, students raised the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, a symbol increasingly used by monarchist supporters advocating regime change.

At the same time, other demonstrators explicitly rejected both the Islamic Republic and a return to monarchy. Slogans such as “Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Leader” and “Woman, Life, Freedom – Iranian Republic” signal a current within the student body that favors systemic transformation toward a republican model distinct from both clerical rule and dynastic restoration. These competing visions underscore the fragmented nature of the opposition space on campuses, where opposition to the current system does not translate into consensus about Iran’s political future.

Confrontations were reported between protesting students and members of the student Basij, a campus organization aligned with the authorities. In several cases, attempts by Basij members to block protest routes or organize parallel gatherings led to physical scuffles. University officials reportedly intervened to prevent escalation.

Sharif University’s administration confirmed that several students have been temporarily barred from campus pending disciplinary review, citing behavior “contrary to university norms,” including inappropriate language and physical altercations. Reports from multiple campuses indicate heightened security presence and the possibility of further disciplinary measures. Such actions raise concerns about renewed academic penalties, surveillance, and long-term repercussions for student activists.

At Alzahra University, footage showed protesters tearing and burning the flag of the Islamic Republic, a highly symbolic act that carries significant legal and political risk in Iran’s current environment. The reappearance of monarchist symbols alongside republican and “Woman, Life, Freedom” slogans reflects the ongoing evolution of protest discourse since 2022 and highlights the university as one of the few remaining arenas for open political expression.

The renewed campus protests suggest that the January crackdown did not eliminate student dissent. However, visible ideological divisions among protesters may complicate efforts to form a unified national student movement. At the same time, disciplinary actions and clashes with pro-government groups increase the risk of further escalation. Historically, universities have played a catalytic role in broader political mobilization in Iran. Whether current demonstrations remain confined to campuses or expand beyond them will depend on both state response and the ability of student factions to navigate their internal divisions while sustaining collective action.