The anti-government protests, which began at the funeral of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on September 17 in the Kurdish city of Saqez, have grown into the biggest show of opposition to Iran’s authorities in years, with many calling for an end to more than four decades of Islamic clerical rule. The activist Twitter account 1500tasvir, which has about 160,000 followers, posted several videos showing Sharif University, a traditional hotbed of dissent, surrounded by dozens of police on Sunday. One of the videos showed security forces firing tear gas to drive the students off the campus and the sound of what appeared to be distant gunfire could be heard. Another video showed security forces chasing dozens of students trapped in the university’s underground parking lot. The account said dozens of students were arrested. Iran’s state media described “reports of clashes” at the university and said the country’s science minister visited the campus to check on the situation. Reuters could not independently verify the events at the university. Students protested at several universities on Sunday and demonstrations were held in several cities including Tehran, Yazd, Kermanshah, Sanadai, Shiraz and Mashhad, with participants chanting “independence, freedom, death to Khamenei,” earlier reports showed. social media posts. The protests have not subsided despite a rising death toll and a crackdown by security forces using tear gas, clubs and in some cases, according to videos on social media and rights groups, live ammunition. Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, said in a statement that “so far 133 people have been killed across Iran,” including more than 40 people it said were killed in clashes last week in the southeastern capital of Zahedan. Sistan- Baluchistan Province. Iranian authorities have not released a death toll, but say many members of the security forces have been killed by “rioters and thugs supported by foreign enemies”. Last week state television reported that 41 had been killed, including members of the security forces. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not commented on the nationwide protests, which have spread across Iran’s 31 provinces, with all sections of society, including ethnic and religious minorities, taking part. Amini’s death and the crackdown have drawn international criticism of Iran’s rulers, who in turn have accused the United States and some European countries of exploiting the unrest to try to destabilize the Islamic Republic. Iran’s state media shared a video of pro-government students, who gathered at Ferdowsi University in Mashhad, chanting “the Islamic Republic is our red line.” Earlier on Sunday, Iranian lawmakers chanted “thank you, police” during a session of parliament in a show of support for the crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. Amini was arrested on September 13 in Tehran for “improper clothing” by morality police who enforce the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code. He died three days later in hospital after falling into a coma. Amini’s family lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, told the semi-official Etemadonline news website that “reputable doctors” believe she was beaten in custody. Amini’s autopsy report and other medical details have not been released, but her father said he saw bruises on her leg and that other women held with her said she was beaten. Iranian police say Amini died of a heart attack and deny she was beaten to death in custody. The country’s hardline president Ebrahim Raisi ordered an investigation into Amini’s death. He said last week that a forensic report would be presented in the coming days. Amnesty International reported on Friday that hundreds have been injured and thousands arrested in the protests. State media reported that at least 20 people were killed in the clashes in Zahedan, blaming a separatist group from the Baluchi minority for starting a firefight in the city.
