Share and Follow
In brief
- Videos of protests in Iran show students chanting and burning flags at universities.
- The unrest comes as the country prepares for talks with the United States regarding its nuclear program.
Iran has issued a stern warning, pledging a “ferocious” response to any military action by the United States. This comes after President Donald Trump recently hinted at the possibility of strikes, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Amidst this exchange of threats, both countries are gearing up for indirect discussions in Geneva about Iran’s nuclear program. A U.S. official has confirmed that these talks are set to resume on Thursday, offering a potential avenue for diplomatic resolution.
Last week, President Trump suggested the possibility of a limited military strike if Iran fails to reach an agreement. In response, Iran’s foreign ministry made it clear on Monday that any form of strike would be seen as a hostile act. “Any state would react to an act of aggression… ferociously, so that’s what we would do,” stated ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei.
As the U.S. applies pressure, bolstered by a military presence in the Middle East, Iran is also dealing with domestic unrest. University students have resumed anti-government protests as the new academic year begins, echoing sentiments from earlier nationwide demonstrations. These protests, which peaked in January, were previously met with a severe crackdown.
As Iran faces US pressure backed by a build-up of military force in the Middle East, university students have started the new semester with anti-government protests, reviving slogans from nationwide demonstrations that peaked in January and were met with a deadly crackdown.
State media outlets reported students chanting anti-government slogans at Tehran University, burning flags at the all-women al-Zahra University, and scuffles at Amir Kabir University, all located in the capital.
Reuters also verified videos showing students at al-Zahra University chanting slogans, including “we’ll reclaim Iran”, but was not able to confirm when it was recorded.
Negotiations continue
Iran has said it will be ready to deliver a draft proposal for an agreement on its nuclear program to mediators in the coming days. Trump said on Thursday that Tehran had at most 15 days to make a deal.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian use, but the West believes it is aimed at building an atomic bomb.
While Iran has taken anything beyond the nuclear issue off the negotiating table, Washington also wants to discuss Tehran’s missiles and its support for militant groups in the region.
The two countries concluded a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland last week under Omani mediation.
Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the resumption of talks was “a new window of opportunity” but warned of the risk of a regional conflict if his country was attacked.
“The consequences of any renewed aggression wouldn’t remain confined to one country and responsibility would rest with those who initiate or support such actions,” Gharibabadi said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that negotiations with the US had “yielded encouraging signals”.
Trump has not laid out in detail his thinking on any possible Iran strike. A senior White House official told Reuters last week there was still no “unified support” within the administration to go ahead with an attack.
Countries urge citizens to leave Iran
The risk of conflict has caused mounting fear in Iran and spurred other countries to take precautionary measures.
India on Monday joined Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia in calling for its citizens to leave Iran.
The United States, meanwhile, ordered non-emergency personnel to leave its embassy in Lebanon, home to the Shiite militia Hezbollah, which maintains close ties to Iran.
In an interview with Fox News broadcast at the weekend, US negotiator Steve Witkoff said Trump was wondering why Iran has not “capitulated” in the face of Washington’s military threats and force deployment.
Baqaei responded Monday by saying that Iranians had never capitulated at any point in their history.
China has warned the US government against triggering new conflicts.
On Monday, at a disarmament conference in Geneva, Chinese ambassador Shen Jian said: “We oppose unilateral bullying and the use of force in international relations.”
The protests sparked in December by economic pains in the sanctions-hit country grew into the most significant challenge to the authorities in years.
Security forces put them down as they peaked on 8 and 9 January with violence that left thousands of dead. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) recorded more than 7,000 killings, while warning that the toll is likely far higher.
Authorities acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths, but say the violence was caused by “terrorist acts” fuelled by the US and Israel.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.