Iranian state news agencies reported student demonstrations at five universities in the capital and one in the city of Mashhad. Videos from Mashhad city suggest clashes between students and the state-backed Basij militia turned violent. The true number of deaths during the previous unrest is unclear. The government puts the figure at just over 3,000, but human rights groups say a minimum of 6,000.
TEHRAN FEBRUARY 24: Despite Washington’s massive military buildup in the Middle East, Iran’s foreign minister said there was a “good chance to have a diplomatic solution.” Talks with US negotiators are set to resume on Thursday. This comes as the clerical regime in Tehran is under increased pressure at home, with students staging a second day of anti-government demonstrations.
Iranian state news agencies reported student demonstrations at five universities in the capital and one in the city of Mashhad over the weekend, Videos from Mashhad city suggest clashes between students and the state-backed Basij militia turned violent, with fresh protests also reported Monday. The universities had reopened on Saturday for the first time since the protests in December and January. The United States has held the threat of military action over the regime in the wake of those demonstrations, which marked the biggest flare-up of domestic dissent since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The true number of deaths during the previous unrest is unclear. The government puts the figure at just over 3,000, but human rights groups say a minimum of 6,000. Trump had initially supported the protesters vocally, telling them “help is on its way” and appearing to threaten to intervene militarily.
Protesters chanted “death to the dictator”, referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and “we didn’t give our lives to compromise and praise a murderous leader”. In other areas, a chant of “woman, life, freedom, Iranian Republic” was heard, according to Iran Wire.
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