Heavy security presence reported in Karaj, video shows

Two major universities in Tehran said on Wednesday they would hold classes online until the end of the current semester, as protests and strikes expanded across Iran, citing cold weather and energy imbalances.

Allameh Tabataba’i University and Shahid Beheshti University announced that in-person classes would be suspended through the remainder of the 1404–1405 first semester.

The Education Ministry’s deputy said the decision was taken “due to cold weather and problems caused by energy shortages, and in order to ensure student welfare.”

The announcement came as universities have emerged as focal points of protest activity, with student demonstrations reported across Tehran over the past several days.

“I have seen no indication that the ruling system wants to change its paradigm,” Alaei said in a video interview with the news site Entekhab, published on Monday. “The current situation shows that previous policies and strategies have not worked.”

Alaei said sanctions had left Iran unable to export freely or access the global banking system, while the domestic economy remained dominated by the state, despite what he described as historical evidence that state-led economic models do not succeed.

“We cannot export normally and we have no access to the world’s banking system,” he said. “At the same time, the economy is still run by the state, even though human experience shows such models fail.”

He said Iran could still pursue a change in direction but argued that parts of the ruling establishment viewed any paradigm shift as a retreat from core values. Others, he added, believed revising failed strategies was itself a way of safeguarding the country’s fundamental principles.

Alaei also warned that the United States and Israel were moving toward what he described as a “Plan B,” centered on intensifying sanctions to worsen economic conditions, trigger unrest and potentially justify military intervention – unless Iran addressed domestic economic mismanagement and recalibrated its foreign policy.

He said a diplomatic opening could still be possible if the United States were to lift all sanctions, even under current political conditions.

US Department of State on Tuesday shared a video of protesting students at a University in Tehran, saying “The future of Iran belongs to its youth.”

“University students across Iran are demanding their fundamental rights, even as security forces regularly confront them with intimidation and violence,” the State Department’s Persian account posted on X.​

“These students represent some of the most educated and talented individuals in the country, but due to the failed policies of the Islamic Republic regime and its disregard for the basic rights of citizens, they have been deprived of the opportunity to build a good life,” the post added. “The future of Iran belongs to its youth.”

Protests spread across Iran on Tuesday, with universities and commercial districts emerging as key hubs amid a widening strike by shopkeepers in Tehran and other cities.

Human rights and student groups said at least 11 protesters were arrested near Tehran’s Shoush Square.

Five students were also detained at universities in the capital, four of whom were later released.

Student outlets reported that one student at Tehran’s Amirkabir University was severely injured during a campus crackdown after members of the Basij militia of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked their gathering.

Videos circulating on social media showed students chanting anti-government slogans, dismantling signs linked to the office of the Supreme Leader’s representatives and confronting security forces at campus gates.

In some clips, officers appeared to retreat as crowds advanced; in others, security forces were seen firing tear gas and, in several locations, shooting toward demonstrators.

The protests coincided with the government’s announcement that public offices would close in nearly 25 provinces, including the capital on Wednesday - a move officials said was necessary to conserve energy amid a severe cold snap. However, online weather data showed no significant drop in temperatures.

The unrest began Sunday after shopkeepers in several Tehran malls and later the Grand Bazaar launched a strike in response to the rial hitting a record low against the US dollar.

Since then, videos verified by Iran International have documented protests in Tehran, Karaj, Qeshm Island, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, Yazd, Kerman and several other cities.

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani acknowledged widespread frustration, saying the protests reflected “intense economic pressure” and that peaceful assembly is recognized under Iran’s constitution.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said he instructed the interior minister to engage in dialogue with representatives of the demonstrators to hear their “legitimate” demands. He later attended a meeting with a handpicked group of trade officials on Tuesday.

Heavy security deployments were reported in Tehran, Mashhad, and Kermanshah, with residents describing checkpoints, constant patrols, and the presence of both uniformed and plainclothes officers.

In Hamadan, footage appeared to show security forces opening fire toward protesters, while riot police in Tehran and the nearby city of Malard used tear gas to disperse crowds.

Demonstrations were held on Tuesday night in several parts of Iran, and are expected to continue into a fourth day, with more Iranian businesses announcing on social media that they will close in solidarity with the movement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he was recently briefed on intelligence suggesting Iran is conducting field exercises in which its forces are practicing launching ballistic missiles at Israel.

“I said, if you dare do that, you know the results would be devastating. So I hope Iran doesn't make that mistake,” Netanyahu told Fox News.

Echoing President Trump’s review of US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, Netanyahu said the Fordow site had been “obliterated,” adding that Tehran is seeking to rebuild its missile capabilities and is considering resuming key nuclear activities.

“As far as the nuclear program, I think they're trying to do it. I'm not sure they've decided to cross the line because I think they heed President Trump's warnings, and also because they've just experienced something. You know, less than a year ago, they saw what it entails, and they have to choose. Look, we don't seek escalation. I hope they don't, but if they do, all bets are off,” Netanyahu said.