Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces at universities in Tehran and Mashhad, Iran, on Saturday, as demonstrations continued for a fourth day following the death of a Basij militia member during ongoing unrest. Students at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran chanted anti-government slogans, including calls for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to reports.
Footage circulating on social media depicts violent confrontations at Sharif University, with some protesters sustaining head injuries. Demonstrations were also reported at Amir Kabir University of Technology and the University of Tehran. The protests are a resurgence of dissent following a brutal crackdown in January, during which numerous people were killed, though exact figures remain disputed.
The recent unrest follows the death of a member of the Basij, a volunteer internal police force affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, confirmed by Iranian authorities. This confirmation appears to have fueled further protests, according to Ynetnews.
Simultaneously, the United States is signaling a potentially more assertive stance toward Iran. President Donald Trump indicated on Friday he is “considering” military action, even as diplomatic efforts continue. “I guess I can say I am considering that,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
The U.S. Has increased its military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks, with the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford passing through Gibraltar on Saturday en route to the region, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group. Trump, speaking on February 13th, had previously suggested regime change in Iran would be “the best thing that could happen,” citing the loss of American lives over decades of negotiations.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian adopted a defiant tone on Saturday, speaking at a meeting with Paralympic athletes. “We will not bow our heads in the face of these problems,” he stated, according to Reuters. “We will try to bring honour and pride to our country…As long as we are alive, and we can breathe, we will sacrifice our lives for our country.” He continued, asserting Iran would not yield to international pressure.
Talks between the U.S. And Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing, with Iran’s top diplomat suggesting a proposed deal could be ready in the coming days. Although, the possibility of military action by the U.S. Casts a shadow over these diplomatic efforts.
