Iranian students chanted anti-government slogans and scuffled with counter-protesters on Saturday in the latest display of anger at the country’s clerical leaders, who also face a U.S. military build-up aimed at pressuring them into a nuclear deal. Footage posted by the Persian-language TV channel Iran International, which is based outside the country, also showed a large crowd chanting anti-government slogans at Sharif University of Technology. Iranian authorities had initially acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters’ economic demands, but as the movement took on an overtly anti-government tone, they accused archenemies the United States and Israel of whipping up “riots”. Talks and threatsEver since the initial wave of protests, the United States and Iran have been trading threats of military action. The United States ultimately joined its ally, striking nuclear facilities before declaring a ceasefire.

Source: The Hindu February 22, 2026 11:55 UTC