Iranian authorities have issued a stern warning to university students participating in renewed anti-government demonstrations, emphasizing the importance of respecting national “red lines” while acknowledging their right to protest. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated Tuesday that while student anger is “understandable,” certain boundaries—including respect for the national flag and “sacred things”—must not be crossed even during periods of heightened emotion.
The comments come as students across Iran began their new semester with protests reviving slogans from earlier nationwide demonstrations that peaked in January. Videos verified by AFP showed students at a Tehran university burning the Iranian flag adopted after the 1979 Islamic Revolution—an act that authorities consider particularly provocative.
This latest wave of unrest follows massive protests that began in December, initially sparked by economic hardships in the sanctions-hit country but quickly evolving into broader challenges against Iran’s clerical leadership. The previous demonstrations prompted a severe government crackdown that resulted in thousands of casualties. While US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documents over 7,000 deaths, Iranian officials acknowledge approximately 3,000 fatalities, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts” allegedly fueled by the United States and Israel.
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. Tehran has vowed to retaliate “ferociously” against any American attack, even a limited one, as President Donald Trump publicly considers military options. Despite Trump’s denial of reports that top military officials warned against the risks of engagement with Iran, the US has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East to pressure Tehran regarding its nuclear program. Indirect negotiations between the two nations are scheduled to resume Thursday in Geneva, with Iran maintaining its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes while Western powers suspect weapons development intentions.