Iranian Students Gather to Reopen Universities After Nationwide Protests

Thousands of Iranian students gathered at universities in Tehran and across the country for a second day of demonstrations on Sunday. The protests took place as the country reopened after a month-long closure due to deadly nationwide demonstrations that occurred in January.

According to reports, thousands of people were killed during the demonstrations, mostly on the nights of January 8 and 9, when a state-imposed communications blackout was in effect. The events have raised concerns about the threat of another war with the United States and Israel.

On Sunday, students at several top universities in Tehran, including the University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University, and Shahid Beheshti University, participated in large numbers in the protests. Clashes broke out between anti-establishment students and those in favor of the theocratic state, with many affiliated with the paramilitary Basij organization.

Security forces were present outside the universities, including some who were filmed being called “dishonourables” after pushing back against students at a main entrance of the University of Tehran. Footage circulated online showed security forces charging at students inside the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

In other parts of the country, large crowds gathered to welcome the release of a retired teacher who had been arrested by security forces earlier in the week. Tens of thousands of people have been arrested during and after the nationwide protests, although exact figures are not available.

On Sunday, there was a discrepancy between the version of events broadcast by state media and viral footage released online by grassroots organizations, including student bodies. State media reported that Basij students were rallying near main entrances or major areas of campuses to burn US and Israeli flags, while chanting slogans such as “Death to America” and “Allah akbar”.

Source: Al Jazeera