A sweeping wave of anti-regime protests has erupted across Iranian universities, as students at some of the country’s most prominent academic institutions boycotted classes and turned their campuses into centres of open resistance against the ruling theocracy.
Demonstrations spread through several major universities in Tehran. Protests also reached Isfahan University of Technology and Ferdowsi and Sajjad universities in Mashhad. Students voiced unequivocal opposition to authoritarian rule, chanting slogans such as “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator.”
At Al-Zahra University, students gathered outside the Faculty of Arts at 11:00 a.m. in response to a pre-announced call to protest. When Basij forces attempted to break up the rally, students resisted and chanted “Dishonourable” in defiance. Similar scenes unfolded at Sharif University, where protesters assembled near the cafeteria, tore down images of regime leaders, and declared, “This is the year of blood; Seyyed Ali will be overthrown.” At Khajeh Nasir University, demonstrators resumed protests with chants condemning the legitimacy of the Supreme Leader.
Beyond Tehran, students at Isfahan University of Technology marched through campus denouncing clerical rule, chanting, “Down with the rule of the mullahs.” At Science and Culture University, protesters echoed the nationwide unrest with emotional slogans demanding accountability for those killed in previous crackdowns.
A defining feature of the movement has been its clear rejection of all forms of dictatorship. At Tehran and Amir Kabir universities, students chanted, “Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Leader,” and “Neither monarchy nor leadership; democracy and equality.” In a February 22 manifesto, Tehran University students declared they would reject any authoritarian system, whether symbolised by “turbans or boots.”
