As universities reopened across Iran, large groups of students returned to the streets, reviving organised campus protests not seen on this scale since last month’s government crackdown.

Protests Resume as New Term Begins

With the start of the academic year, the sound of chants and coordinated demonstrations has once again echoed through university campuses. Thousands of students at several leading institutions staged rallies. These are the first major protests since authorities moved to suppress earlier unrest.

The demonstrations come at a tense time for Iran’s leadership. The government faces growing pressure at home and abroad. In the United States, President Donald Trump has intensified his “maximum pressure” campaign. Washington has issued fresh diplomatic deadlines over Iran’s nuclear programme. At the same time, it has increased the deployment of military strike groups in the Persian Gulf.

Multiple Causes Behind the Unrest

The protests reflect a mix of social and economic grievances. On campuses, students are protesting the renewed enforcement of morality rules. They are also opposing the installation of advanced surveillance systems designed to monitor student behaviour.

In addition, many are demanding the release of student activists who remain detained from earlier protest waves. Their continued imprisonment has become a key rallying issue.

However, anger extends beyond civil rights concerns. Iran’s economic crisis has deepened frustration among young people. The country faces high inflation and limited job opportunities for graduates. Many students feel uncertain about their future.

At Tehran University, one placard captured this sentiment clearly: “We study for a future that does not exist.”

Universities as Centres of Protest

Campus protests carry strong historical weight in Iran. Universities have often served as the starting point for wider political movements. The 1999 student unrest began in academic institutions. More recently, nationwide demonstrations followed the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.

Because of this history, security analysts are watching closely. For now, the protests remain largely confined to university grounds. The key question is whether they will spread to other sectors of society.

Observers are especially focused on the traditional bazaars and major labour unions. If merchants and industrial workers join the movement, authorities may shift from campus-level control to a broader and more forceful nationwide crackdown.

Fear of Another Internet Blackout

Memories of past government responses are shaping public concern. During the last major wave of unrest, authorities imposed a lengthy internet shutdown. The blackout limited communication between protesters and restricted outside reporting.

Human rights groups later alleged that thousands of demonstrators were killed during that period of silence. As the new term begins, many students fear that the government could again introduce a digital blackout if the protests expand.

Overall, Iran now faces a delicate moment. Student anger over social restrictions and economic hardship has resurfaced. At the same time, international pressure continues to mount. Whether the demonstrations remain limited to campuses or grow into a wider national movement could determine the country’s next political chapter.