DUBAI, February 22, 2026 – Protests erupted at several Iranian universities on Sunday for the second consecutive day, resulting in clashes, according to reports from Iranian news agencies and social media posts. The unrest comes as Iran faces increased U.S. Military presence and continues to pursue a nuclear agreement with Washington, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense geopolitical landscape.
The recent disturbances follow nationwide anti-government demonstrations last month, which were met with a violent crackdown and resulted in thousands of deaths – marking the worst internal unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The ongoing protests highlight deep-seated discontent within Iranian society.
Iranian state television broadcast footage depicting individuals it described as “students posing as protesters” attacking pro-government students in Tehran who were holding rallies to condemn the January protests. The report stated that these individuals injured the pro-government students by throwing stones.
Videos shared by the U.S.-based human rights organization, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), showed protests unfolding at universities in Mashhad, in northeastern Iran. The agency reported that security forces intervened in the protests, leading to injuries.
Footage circulating on Saturday showed lines of protesters at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran denouncing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “murderous leader” and calling for the restoration of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former Shah, as the new king.
(Reporting by Al-Wali Al-Wali – Editing by Mohammed Aysam for the Arabic service – Editing by Muath Abdulaziz)
