Mass Protests at Iranian Universities Amid Escalating Conflict with the US

A new wave of anti-government protests has erupted at Iranian universities, seemingly gaining momentum despite brutal reactions from the security apparatus. Students in Tehran, as well as in smaller centers, are openly opposing the current political order, chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator." The immediate trigger for renewed mobilization was the reopening of universities after a period of heightened control, but the deeper cause remains frustration over the bloodily suppressed demonstrations of recent weeks. Protesters are using the symbolic space of the campus to loudly declare that their classrooms are empty because "the cemeteries are full," thus alluding to the numerous victims of police and Basij interventions. For decades, the student movement in Iran has played the role of a vanguard for social change, as evidenced by the bloodily suppressed protests of July 1999, which are permanently etched in the memory of the opposition intelligentsia.The domestic situation overlaps with an extremely tense international atmosphere. Intelligence reports indicate that the administration of Donald Trump is considering precise military strikes on Iranian strategic targets, causing widespread anxiety among the civilian population. Meanwhile, within Tehran's power circles, uncertainty is growing over reports of the search for a successor by the Supreme Leader. Societal divisions are deepening, evidenced by clashes between pro-democratic youth and regime loyalists. An exceptionally symbolic act of resistance has become the collective clapping during the call to prayer, interpreted as a direct blow to the religious foundations of the Islamic Republic. Relations between Washington and Tehran have remained hostile since the seizure of the American embassy in 1979, but the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal in recent years has led to the lowest level of trust in history.Additionally, information is reaching the public about mysterious messages being sent to protesters, suggesting external support and encouraging patience regarding upcoming US actions. Authorities accuse foreign powers of inciting rebellion while simultaneously applying severe repression. Last-chance talks are planned in Geneva to prevent an open armed conflict, but the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough are assessed as slim. Iran is currently in a state of highest defensive readiness, amplifying residents' fear of the consequences of a potential war.