Protests are intensifying across Iran. From Abdanan and Mormori to Tehran, Mashhad and beyond, people are in the streets demanding the release of detainees and chanting “Political prisoners must be freed.” Universities remain a hotbed of resistance, with students marching, clashing with security forces, and commemorating those killed in January. Pensioners are rallying in Shush and Tehran, while memorial gatherings continue to draw large crowds nationwide. The movement is spreading — united, defiant, and determined to free all detainees and confront the regime’s repression.
Nationwide university protests intensify; Abdanan and Mormori rise; pensioners rally; arrests continue
21–22 February 2026
Universities across Iran remain at the forefront of protest as demonstrations spread nationwide in response to the January massacre, ongoing arrests, and repression. At the same time, Abdanan and surrounding towns in Ilam province have emerged as major centres of street resistance, while memorial ceremonies and pensioners’ protests continue to expand.
Abdanan: street protests over arrests
On 21 February, residents of Abdanan gathered outside the Intelligence Office and police station to protest arrests and demand the release of Yaghoub Mohammadi, a respected protesting teacher detained and transferred to an unknown location.
The gathering quickly turned into a street protest, with demonstrators taking control of parts of the city and chanting:
- “Death to Khamenei”
- “Political prisoners must be freed”
Abdanan has become a symbol of open defiance, with repeated mobilisations despite internet shutdowns and arrests.
Mormori joins the protest
On the night of 21 February, residents of Mormori (Ilam province) took to the streets in solidarity with Abdanan and in protest against arrests. Protesters reportedly took control of several neighbourhoods and chanted:
- “Death to Khamenei”
- “Death to the dictator”
- “Death to the IRGC”
According to reports, amid the wave of arrests in Ilam province, at least eight youths and teenagers have been detained in Dareh-Shahr, Malekshahi, Sarableh, Dehloran, Mormori and Abdanan. They have been transferred to undisclosed locations.
Abdanan’s chant — “Political prisoners must be freed” — is spreading beyond the province.
Universities: a nationwide centre of resistance
On 21 and 22 February, students gathered across multiple campuses demanding the release of detainees and protesting the regime’s mass killings.
Amirkabir University
Students marched onto Valiasr Street, blocking entrances and chanting:
- “Don’t be afraid — we stand together”
- “This is the final message — the whole system is the target”
- “This is the year of blood — Seyed Ali will fall”
Clashes with security forces were reported.
Sharif University
Students marched chanting:
- “So many years of crime — death to this rule”
- “We did not give our lives to compromise or praise a killer leader”
University of Tehran
Students gathered in front of the Central Library chanting:
- “Death to the dictator”
Beheshti University
Sit-ins and marches were held with chants including:
- “Death to Khamenei”
- “By the blood of our comrades, we stand to the end”
In the Faculty of Psychology and Education, candles were lit in memory of Hadi Forough, killed during the January massacre.
Ferdowsi University (Mashhad) & Khajeh Nasir University
Students chanted:
- “We did not give our lives to compromise”
- “Freedom, freedom, freedom”
- “This is the year of blood — Seyed Ali will fall”
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Students gathered chanting:
- “Freedom, freedom, freedom”
- “Student, raise your voice — demand your rights”
Persian Gulf University & Alzahra University
Memorial gatherings were held, with further calls for protest issued.
Release of Anisha Asadollahi
Labour activist and translator Anisha Asadollahi was released on 20 February after three years in prison. She was welcomed by supporters chanting:
- “Woman, Life, Freedom”
- “Political prisoners must be freed”
Her release has been widely celebrated.
Memorial ceremonies continue nationwide
Large-scale memorial ceremonies for those killed in January continue across the country.
Recent gatherings were held in:
- Haftgel (Khuzestan) for Mehran Neyesh
- East Tehran for Majid and Maryam Salehi
- Gorgan for Arniko Dabagh
- Najafabad (Isfahan), where crowds chanted:
- “If we gave our lives, it was for human dignity — for freedom”
These ceremonies have become mass political gatherings.
Pensioners protest in Shush and Tehran
On 22 February, Social Security pensioners gathered in Shush (Haft Tappeh and Karkheh) and in Tehran, protesting poverty, corruption, repression, and inflation.
Chants included:
- “Political prisoners must be freed”
- “Freedom, justice — this is the people’s demand”
Other protests
- Education Ministry exam candidates (Green Card applicants) protested in Tehran over employment delays.
- Victims of the “Kourosh Company” fraud case rallied outside the Economic Crimes Prosecutor’s Office.
- Teacher Ali Shamayeli was released on bail after reportedly enduring severe torture in detention. The Coordinating Council of Teachers condemned continued repression against educators.
Call for nationwide mobilisation
The Worker-communist Party of Iran calls for nationwide protests to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and to defend their lives.
From Abdanan to Tehran, from universities to pensioners’ gatherings, one slogan is spreading:
“Political prisoners must be freed.”
Worker-communist Party of Iran
22 February 2026
