George Anjay
The resurgence of student-led protests comes amid heightened international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program. The United States and its European allies harbor suspicions that Iran is actively pursuing the development of a nuclear weapon, a claim that Tehran consistently denies. Diplomatic efforts to address these concerns have been underway, with US and Iranian officials engaging in talks in Switzerland on Tuesday. While both sides reported progress in discussions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear activities, the situation remains precarious. President Trump, in the wake of these talks, indicated that the world would learn within "the next, probably, 10 days" whether a diplomatic agreement would be reached or if the US would resort to military action. President Trump has historically voiced support for the protesters in Iran, at one point seemingly encouraging them with a statement suggesting that "help is on its way."
The BBC has independently verified video evidence showing hundreds of protesters peacefully assembling on the grounds of the Sharif University of Technology at the commencement of the new academic semester on Saturday. Chants of "death to the dictator," a clear reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other anti-government slogans reverberated across the campus. Adjacent to the student demonstrators, a separate group, identified as supporters of a rival pro-government rally and many bearing national Iranian flags, can be seen in the initial moments of the video. The footage later captures scuffles breaking out between these two distinct groups.
Further visual evidence, also verified by the BBC, includes images of a peaceful sit-in protest at Shahid Beheshti University, also located in the capital. In another instance, verified footage from Amir Kabir University of Technology in Tehran displays students engaging in vocal opposition to the government. In Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city situated in the northeast, local students have reportedly been heard chanting slogans such as "Freedom, freedom" and "Students, shout, shout for your rights." As of now, there is no immediate confirmation regarding any arrests of demonstrators, though reports indicate that protests may have continued into Sunday.
The wave of protests that began in January was initially fueled by economic grievances but rapidly escalated into Iran’s most extensive demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), it has confirmed the deaths of at least 7,015 individuals during that period. This figure includes 6,508 protesters, 226 children, and 214 individuals affiliated with the government. These figures were last updated on February 15th. Hrana also stated that it is actively investigating an additional 11,744 reported deaths. In contrast, Iranian authorities asserted late last month that over 3,100 people had been killed, but claimed that the majority were security personnel or bystanders who fell victim to "rioters."
Against the backdrop of President Trump’s escalating rhetoric, Iranian authorities are actively preparing for the possibility of military conflict with the United States. US envoy Steve Witkoff stated on Saturday that President Trump has been questioning Iran’s reluctance to "capitulate" in the face of Washington’s military build-up. Speaking to Fox News, Witkoff described the President as "curious" about Iran’s stance, particularly after issuing warnings of severe repercussions should a deal not be reached. Witkoff elaborated, stating, "I don’t want to use the word ‘frustrated,’ because he understands he has plenty of alternatives, but he’s curious as to why they haven’t… I don’t want to use the word ‘capitulated,’ but why they haven’t capitulated."
Within the Iranian diaspora, there is a discernible division among opposition groups regarding the potential US military intervention. Some exiled factions are vociferously urging President Trump to follow through on his threats, harboring hopes that such action would lead to a swift downfall of the current hardline government. Conversely, other opposition groups express reservations about external intervention. These differing viewpoints have contributed to ongoing disinformation campaigns on social media, with various factions attempting to amplify their conflicting narratives and shape perceptions of the Iranian populace’s desires.
This report incorporates additional reporting from Ghoncheh Habibiazad of BBC Persian, and Richard Irvine-Brown and Shayan Sardarizadeh of BBC Verify.
An update on February 22nd clarified that individuals depicted in the video holding Iranian national flags were part of a pro-government rally, distinct from the nearby anti-government protest.
atisusanti
Nakalama John
Ramos Leo
Roy Suryo