Iran anti-government student protests spread to more universities
BBC World
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A new wave of anti-government protests has swept across Iranian universities, marking the first major demonstrations since last year's brutal crackdown that left thousands dead. Starting at Tehran's al-Zahra University on Saturday, these student-led rallies have spread to campuses in cities like Mashhad and Isfahan, reigniting tensions with authorities.
The protests come after a prolonged period of suppression following nationwide uprisings in December and January, which were met with a fierce response from the Iranian government. According to some reports, at least 7,000 people were killed during the crackdown, though official numbers vary widely. The resumption of university classes on Saturday provided an opportunity for students to express their grievances, leading to clashes between protesters and members of the paramilitary Basij force.
Footage verified by BBC Persian shows students burning the Islamic Republic flag and chanting slogans like "woman, life, freedom," a nod to the 2022 protest movement sparked by Mahsa Amini's death in police custody. Many students also displayed the pre-1979 "lion and sun" flag of Iran, signaling nostalgia for the Pahlavi dynasty that was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution. Some protesters even chanted support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah.
The government's response has been swift, with Basij forces cl
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on BBC World on 2/23/2026