Protests Reignite in Iran Across Universities 40 Days After Deadly Crackdown

Forty days after a deadly January crackdown, thousands of demonstrators returned to the streets of Iran on Saturday and Sunday, with major protests centered on university campuses in Tehran and other cities across the country.

Large gatherings were reported at Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University, Shahid Beheshti University and Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi University in the capital, as well as at Ferdowsi University in Mashhad. In some locations, demonstrations spilled beyond campus gates, and nearby roads were temporarily blocked as security forces deployed in response.

At one university in Tehran, protesters were heard chanting “Freedom” and “Death to Khamenei” toward Basij militia members who confronted students. Additional chants of “Death to the dictator” were reported in footage circulated by opposition-linked channels. Videos from Sharif University appeared to show scuffles between students and Basij forces as authorities attempted to disperse the crowds.

The renewed unrest coincides with ceremonies marking 40 days since individuals killed during the previous wave of protests, a traditional mourning milestone in Iran that has often served as a catalyst for further demonstrations. Students were seen holding memorial tributes, and some waved pre-revolutionary “Lion and Sun” flags associated with opposition to the Islamic Republic.

University officials signaled a firm response. The president of one university where clashes were reported accused regime opponents of trying to disrupt academic life. “The opponents want the university to move to online activity after students held protests against the government on campus, where clashes also broke out and some students were injured,” he said. “The enemy wants the university to become virtual, but we will not allow this.”

State-affiliated Fars News Agency claimed that initially quiet strikes at Sharif University escalated after the arrival of “instigators in black masks.” According to the report, campus security confiscated two knives from students and several individuals were injured by stone throwing. Fars also reported that alongside pro-monarchy slogans voiced by some demonstrators, other students gathered with Islamic Republic flags and chanted “Death to the Shah,” highlighting divisions within the protests.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the broader climate of pressure facing the country, declaring that Iran would not yield to foreign demands. “The country will not bow to pressure from world powers,” he said. “Even if all the world’s powers stand against us in an unfair way to force us to kneel, we will not surrender.”

Separately, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff addressed Iran’s stance in an interview with Fox News, where he said President Donald Trump was not “frustrated” by Iran’s stance, but rather “curious.”

“I don't want to use the word frustrated,” Witkoff said. “It's curious. He's curious as to why they haven't capitulated ... under this sort of pressure, with the amount of sea power, naval power that we have over there.”

Witkoff warned that Iran is “probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material,” adding, “And that's really dangerous. So they can't have that.” He reiterated that “very hard red lines” have been drawn and reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to “zero enrichment” in any future deal, even as reports indicate the administration is reviewing proposals that could allow limited uranium enrichment.

Trump also commented on reports of casualties during last month’s protests over the weekend, stating that “32,000 were killed in a relatively short period of time.” He added, “The Iranian people are very different from their leaders. It’s a very, very, very sad situation”

As of Sunday, demonstrations appeared to be continuing on several campuses, though official figures regarding participation, injuries or arrests remained limited.