Iran says students can protest, but must respect 'red lines'
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 24, 2026
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The Iranian government has permitted university students to continue protesting but emphasized the importance of respecting certain boundaries, or "red lines," such as avoiding disrespect toward national symbols like the flag and other sacred elements. In a statement addressing recent campus rallies at the start of a new academic semester, spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani acknowledged students' frustrations and anger, while stressing that these must not justify crossing into territory deemed unacceptable by authorities.
The renewed protests come amid ongoing tensions following nationwide demonstrations in January, which were met with a deadly crackdown. Students have been divided between pro-government supporters and critics of the regime, with media reports indicating that clashes and arrests occurred during the rallies. The government has launched an investigation to examine the causes and factors behind the unrest, though exact numbers for casualties remain disputed.
Protests initially emerged in December 2022 as a response to economic grievances, exacerbated by international sanctions targeting Iran's
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/24/2026