The Iranian authorities allowed university students to demonstrate and said they “understood their anger,” the government spokeswoman announced Tuesday, warning them at the same time of the consequences of crossing “red lines.” Students began their new semester on Saturday by organizing marches in support of and against the regime.

Published on: 02/24/2026 - 10:56 Last updated: 02/24/2026 - 18:24

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The Iranian government spokeswoman said on Tuesday that students have the right to demonstrate, but warned them against crossing “red lines,” in the first official comment on renewed protests in the country’s universities since the weekend.

In this context, Fatima Mohajerani explained, “The sanctities (holy places) and the flag are examples of these red lines that we must protect and not cross or deviate from, even at the height of anger.” She pointed out that the country's students "are hurt to the core and have seen scenes that might make them angry and upset, and this anger is understandable."

Students in the Islamic Republic began a new semester on Saturday with marches in support of and against the government, according to local media, chanting the slogans of the demonstrations that spread across the country over the past two months, reaching their peak in January and resulting in thousands of deaths.

The latest protests broke out at the end of December against the backdrop of deteriorating living conditions, but they quickly turned into a movement raising slogans against the regime, which reached its peak on January 8 and 9 and was subjected to violent repression.

Iranian officials acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths, but say the violence was caused by "terrorist" acts fueled by the United States and Israel.

But human rights organizations based abroad report a much higher toll.

In her speech, Mohajerani noted that a fact-finding mission is investigating the “causes and factors” of the protests and will submit reports in this regard.

France 24/AFP

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