Arabic version: الحكومة الإيرانية تفرض حدودًا مع تصاعد احتجاجات الطلاب

Tehran, Iran – The Iranian government has emphasized that protesting students must adhere to the theocratic establishment’s “red lines” as violent clashes took place inside universities for a fourth day. Iranian students “have wounds in their hearts” and are angry, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani acknowledged to reporters during a news conference in Tehran on Tuesday, in an apparent reference to thousands killed during nationwide protests in January.

Mohajerani noted that while the government believes students must be heard, many universities remain closed more than a month after the protest killings, which mostly took place on the nights of January 8 and 9. Some institutions have transitioned to online classes for the remainder of the Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20. Videos from university campuses show pro-state groups affiliated with the Basij force violently clashing with anti-establishment students.

Major demonstrations were reported at several top universities in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. Students were heard chanting slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and “Freedom”. In contrast, pro-government students conducted public prayers and recited Shia Islamic chants with support from university officials and security forces.

While state media reported no arrests inside universities this week, disciplinary actions have been initiated against several students, with some already suspended. Messages warning students about violations of disciplinary guidelines have been circulated, urging them to report to university security. In a related development, the website of the prestigious Sharif University of Technology was hacked, displaying its original name from before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

As protests continue, the Iranian government is also facing scrutiny from international human rights organizations regarding its response to the unrest. Human Rights Watch has reported on alleged massacres and a wave of arbitrary arrests following the protests. Iranian officials have countered these claims, attributing the unrest to foreign interference. According to Al Jazeera, the situation remains tense as the government navigates internal dissent and external criticism.