Iranian students hold first large anti-government protests since deadly crackdown

Students from several Iranian universities have staged anti-government demonstrations, the largest since last month's deadly security crackdown.

The BBC has verified footage showing protesters marching across the campus of Sharif University of Technology in Tehran on Saturday (21 February). Clashes were later reported between demonstrators and pro-government supporters.

Other demonstrations included a sit-in at Shahid Beheshti University in the capital and a rally in the northeast city of Mashhad. Students were commemorating those killed in mass protests in January.

Meanwhile, the US has been increasing its military presence near Iran, and President Donald Trump has indicated that a limited military strike is under consideration. The US and European allies have expressed concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Tehran continues to deny.

US and Iranian officials met in Switzerland on Tuesday, reporting progress in negotiations aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program. Nevertheless, Trump later warned that the world would know within about ten days whether a deal would be reached or if military action would follow. He has previously expressed support for Iranian protesters, even suggesting that "help is on its way."

Verified footage from Sharif University shows hundreds of students, many waving Iranian flags, marching peacefully while chanting slogans such as "death to the dictator," directed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Nearby, supporters of a pro-government rally were also present, and confrontations reportedly broke out between the two groups.

Similar demonstrations were verified at Amir Kabir University of Technology, and in Mashhad, students reportedly shouted "Freedom, freedom" and "Students, shout for your rights." Additional protests were reported in other locations, with calls for further rallies on Sunday. There are no immediate reports of arrests.

The protests last month, initially sparked by economic grievances, escalated into the largest demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), at least 6,159 people were killed during that period, including 5,804 protesters, 92 children, and 214 government-affiliated individuals, with investigations continuing into another 17,000 reported deaths. Iranian authorities have acknowledged more than 3,100 deaths, mostly security personnel or bystanders, blaming "rioters" for the fatalities.

Saturday's protests come amid heightened tensions, with Iranian authorities preparing for potential conflict with the US. Exiled opposition groups have urged Trump to take action against the Iranian government, while other factions oppose foreign intervention. Both sides have also engaged in social media campaigns, attempting to shape international narratives about the will of the Iranian people.