Overview
- Student demonstrations spread to at least 11 universities in Tehran and Mashhad over consecutive days, with anti-government chants and some pro-regime counterrallies reported.
- Confrontations with Basij and security forces were documented at Khaje Nasir and the University of Science and Technology, where tear gas and pepper spray were used and injuries and detentions were reported.
- University authorities announced entry bans and disciplinary reviews for participants, and the science minister warned that identified agitators would face serious penalties.
- The judiciary escalated its response with a reported death sentence linked to the January unrest, while Human Rights Watch cites ongoing arrests, torture, forced confessions and summary executions.
- The unrest is unfolding alongside U.S. naval deployments, IRGC drills on Iran’s southern coasts, and a scheduled new round of mediated nuclear talks in Geneva.