Wednesday, February 25, 2026, marked the fifth consecutive day of nationwide student protests across universities in Tehran and several other Iranian cities.
The demonstrations continued amid intensified security measures, including the closure of university entrances, a heavy security presence on campuses, widespread summonses of students, and bans preventing many from entering university grounds—moves authorities appear to be using in an effort to curb the expansion and coordination of student protests.
Tehran University: Commemorating Fallen Students
Students at the University of Tehran held a protest gathering at the central campus to commemorate students killed during the January uprising. Protesters chanted slogans including:
“We did not give our lives to compromise or to praise a murderous leader,” and
“For every one person killed, a thousand stand behind them.”
Kharazmi University: Protest Against Virtualization and Tribute to Saghar Seifollahi
Students at Kharazmi University rallied in protest to the shift to online classes and to honor the memory of Saghar Seifollahi, described by protesters as a fallen uprising victim and an alumna of the university. Demonstrators chanted:
“If classes go virtual, our slogans will grow louder,”
“By Saghar’s blood, we will stand to the end,” and
“Freedom, freedom, freedom.”
Iran University of Art: Anti-Government Slogans
At the Iran University of Art, students staged a protest gathering, chanting slogans such as:
“Death to the dictator,”
“Political prisoners must be freed,”
“Be afraid, be afraid—we are all together,” and
“This fallen flower has become a gift to the homeland.”
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad: Sit-In and National Anthem
Students at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad organized a sit-in protest, during which they collectively sang the patriotic anthem “O’ Iran.”
Shiraz University Under Tight Security
According to student sources, all entrances to Shiraz University were closed as of Wednesday morning, with security forces deployed around the campus to prevent students from entering.
Security personnel also issued warnings to passersby and students on Eram Street in an effort to prevent any gatherings from forming.
At Least 180 Students Summoned to Disciplinary Committees
As protests persist, authorities have launched a new wave of summonses, threats, and campus bans targeting students. The state-run Shargh newspaper reported that, following recent protest gatherings, at least 180 students at universities in Tehran have been summoned to disciplinary committees as part of efforts to impose tighter control.
According to the report, published Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at least 180 students have received text messages since Monday, February 22, informing them that their participation in recent protests constituted a “violation of educational and disciplinary regulations.” Pending their disciplinary hearings, they have been barred from entering university campuses and educational facilities.
At the University of Tehran alone, between 40 and 50 students were reportedly summoned to disciplinary committees in a single day. Students say the wave of summonses has continued at a rapid pace since Tuesday morning.
The report also indicates that dozens of students have been banned from entering their campuses. More than 60 students were reportedly denied entry without receiving any formal notification, instead being verbally informed by campus security. In some cases, security personnel checked student ID cards at entrances and prevented targeted students from accessing university grounds.
