Students confront Basij outside Tehran universities during Feb 21 memorial rallies
Feb 22nd 2026
Social media videos and multiple reports show students chanting anti government slogans and facing Basij paramilitaries outside Sharif University and other Tehran campuses as nationwide ceremonies mark victims of January clashes.
- On Feb 21 students at Sharif University chanted "Shame, shame" and confronted Basij forces, according to social media videos and the Khabar e Daneshjoo student news agency.
- Similar gatherings were reported at Amir Kabir University of Technology and Tehran University, Fars news agency said.
- The demonstrations coincided with hundreds of memorial ceremonies held across Iran to commemorate people killed during major clashes with security forces in January.
- Human rights groups say at least 7,000 people were killed in nationwide protests that began in late December 2025, though the true death toll is believed to be higher.
- Amnesty International said at least 30 people face the death penalty in connection with the protests.
- The events drew international attention, with US warnings and a reported US carrier strike group deployment, reports of strikes on Iranian facilities, and some countries urging their citizens to leave Iran.