Recent protests in Iran have erupted again, with students at the elite Amirkabir University in Tehran taking to the streets to chant anti-government slogans, including calls for long live the Shah, a reference to Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted monarch. Eyewitnesses reported significant gatherings and clashes with regime-affiliated Basij forces. In Mashhad, medical students also joined the demonstrations, reflecting a broader discontent among the youth over the government's oppressive policies.

The protests come as Iranian universities have recently resumed their academic activities after being closed for several weeks due to earlier protests in January. Reports suggest that many universities were initially shut down as a direct response to a wave of civil unrest. Institutions like Amirkabir have pivoted to online learning formats, albeit after a prolonged internet blackout imposed by authorities, highlighting ongoing tensions between the state and its students.

The significance of these protests reflects a deepening rift in Iranian society, especially among the younger generation, who are increasingly vocal against their government's policies. The chant of support for the former Shah indicates a yearning for pre-revolutionary governance, which poses a profound challenge to the current regime's legitimacy and a potential call for political change that could impact Iran's future stability and direction.