Tehran Protests: New Anti-Government Chants Emerge After Rallies Abroad
New chants denouncing the Iranian government have been heard in Tehran, according to reports, following large demonstrations held internationally against the regime. The internal unrest comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, travels to Geneva for renewed negotiations with the United States, a meeting that officials in Tehran have already signaled will not involve concessions to what they deem “excessive” American demands.
The reported chants in Tehran represent a visible, if currently limited, echo of the widespread protests that have taken place in cities across Europe and North America. These international rallies have largely focused on Iran’s domestic policies and its regional actions. Details regarding the specific content of the new chants, or the scale of the Tehran demonstrations, remain limited.
The timing of the internal dissent coincides with a critical juncture in the ongoing, indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. Regarding Iran’s nuclear program. President Ebrahim Raisi has publicly stated Iran will not yield to U.S. Pressure, according to reports. The talks, mediated primarily through European partners, aim to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. Unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under the Trump administration.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently reiterated his stance on Iran, stating that regime change would be “the best thing that could happen.” This statement was made as a second U.S. Aircraft carrier group headed to the region, a move that has been interpreted by some as a show of force intended to increase pressure on Iran. The deployment of additional naval assets underscores the heightened tensions in the region.
Amir-Abdollahian’s trip to Geneva is intended to address the stalled negotiations. While the specific agenda remains undisclosed, the Iranian Foreign Minister is expected to reiterate Iran’s position that the U.S. Must first lift sanctions before Iran will return to full compliance with the nuclear deal. The U.S. Has maintained that both sides must take steps to return to the agreement.
As of Monday, February 16, 2026, the outcome of the Geneva talks remains uncertain. No immediate statements have been released by either the U.S. State Department or the Iranian Foreign Ministry following the initial meetings. Further discussions are scheduled for later in the week, but a breakthrough is not anticipated given the firm positions already articulated by both sides.