Students across Tehran marked victims of recent unrest with competing rallies while diplomatic talks continued under the shadow of heightened military pressure.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iranian students staged a second consecutive day of rallies Sunday at universities in Tehran, commemorating those killed during recent nationwide unrest as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program unfolded amid rising fears of renewed conflict with the United States.
The demonstrations followed campus gatherings Saturday honoring individuals who died during protests that began in December. Initially triggered by economic hardship in the sanctions-hit country, the unrest expanded into broader anti-government demonstrations described as one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership in years.
On Sunday, the Fars news agency released footage showing crowds at multiple universities in the capital. Videos depicted groups waving Iranian flags and holding memorial photographs of those killed. One gathering at Sharif University of Technology showed students chanting “death to the shah,” referencing the monarchy overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution, as uniformed men positioned themselves between opposing groups.
Fars reported “tensions” at at least three Tehran universities where some students shouted anti-establishment slogans. Iran International, a media outlet operating outside the country and labeled a “terrorist” organization by Tehran, shared video on social media appearing to show students at Sharif University holding the pre-revolution Iranian flag alongside footage of rallies at other institutions.
An AFP-geolocated video of what appeared to be the Sharif University demonstration showed a large crowd chanting anti-government slogans while others displayed the flag associated with the former monarchy.
Iranian authorities acknowledge that more than 3,000 people were killed during the unrest, including security personnel and bystanders, attributing the violence to what they describe as terrorist acts fueled by foreign adversaries. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), however, reports more than 7,000 deaths, asserting that the majority were protesters. Independent verification of casualty figures has been difficult.
The protests come as Washington and Tehran engage in renewed nuclear diplomacy. Representatives from both countries recently met in Geneva for a second round of talks mediated by Oman. Iran has indicated it will submit a draft proposal in the coming days aimed at preventing military escalation.
Axios reported Sunday, citing a senior U.S. official, that if Tehran submits its proposal within 48 hours, Washington is prepared to reconvene in Geneva on Friday to begin detailed negotiations toward a potential nuclear agreement.
While talks continue, the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East. Two aircraft carriers, additional aircraft and naval assets have been dispatched to the region, and air defenses have been reinforced.
President Donald Trump’s chief Middle East negotiator, Steve Witkoff, said during a Fox News interview Saturday that the president questioned why Iran had not yielded under U.S. pressure.
“He’s curious as to why they haven’t… I don’t want to use the word ‘capitulated’, but why they haven’t capitulated,” Witkoff said. “Why, under this pressure, with the amount of seapower and naval power over there, why haven’t they come to us and said, ‘We profess we don’t want a weapon, so here’s what we’re prepared to do’?”
Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons, while maintaining that it has the right to enrich uranium for civilian energy purposes.
A prior round of diplomacy last year was disrupted by a surprise Israeli bombing campaign targeting Iranian facilities, leading to a 12-day conflict in June that included U.S. strikes on nuclear sites. Iranian officials have since reiterated that the country will defend itself against any new attack.
Despite ongoing negotiations, anxiety among Iranian citizens appears to be rising.
“I don’t sleep well at night even while taking pills,” said Hamid, a Tehran resident who spoke to AFP, expressing concern for his “family’s health… my kids and grandchildren.”
Mina Ahmadvand, a 46-year-old IT technician, said she believes “at this stage, war between Iran and the US as well as Israel is inevitable and I’ve prepared myself for that eventuality.”
“I don’t want war to happen, but one should not fool around with the realities on the ground,” she added.
Growing unease has prompted several governments, including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia, to advise their citizens to leave Iran. Australia warned that “commercial flights are currently available but this could change quickly.”
As diplomatic efforts proceed alongside heightened military deployments, student protests and public apprehension underscore the volatility facing Iran both domestically and internationally.
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