Students across Iran rose up again today — from Sharif and Tehran to Isfahan and Mashhad — chanting “Death to the dictator” and demanding the release of political prisoners. In Isfahan, students confronted Basij attacks and refused to retreat. At the same time, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign marked its 109th week in 56 prisons, warning of the surge in executions and sham trials based on torture and forced confessions. Families of death-row prisoners also gathered, holding signs reading “No to executions” and “Political prisoners must be freed.” Universities remain a frontline of resistance — and the fight against executions is growing nationwide.
Nationwide student protests intensify as “No to Executions” campaign expands across 56 prisons
24 February 2026
Protests expanded across numerous universities today, as students continued demonstrations against the regime’s genocidal crackdown and demanded the release of detainees. Gatherings were reported at Isfahan University of Technology, Beheshti University, Tehran University of Art, Tarbiat Modares, Sooreh University, Shandiz (Mashhad), Iran University of Science and Technology, Amirkabir University, Elm-o-Farhang, Khajeh Nasir, and Sharif University, among others.
At Isfahan University, a large student gathering was met with an attack by Basij forces. Students bravely resisted, chanting:
- “This is the year of blood — Seyed Ali will be overthrown.”
- “Their slogan is ‘Heydar, Heydar’ — their pride is crime.”
- “Basiji on a handout — enjoy it while it lasts.”
At the University of Art, students gathered at the Applied Faculty and chanted:
- “Death to the dictator.”
- “Political prisoners must be freed.”
- “For every one killed, a thousand stand behind them.”
- “Khamenei the tyrant — we will bury you.”
- “Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Leader.”
At Beheshti University, students marched and chanted:
- “Khamenei is a murderer — his rule is illegitimate.”
Week 109 of “No to Executions Tuesdays” in 56 Prisons
Today also marked the 109th week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign across 56 prisons. In their weekly statement, campaign members declared that the fortieth-day commemorations of those killed in the January uprising had become a symbol of continued resistance and nationwide solidarity.
The statement emphasised that anti-dictatorship slogans heard at memorials demonstrate that the memory of the victims has become a driving force for justice, freedom and equality. The campaign expressed solidarity with students from Sharif, Tehran, Amirkabir, Art, Mellat and Mashhad universities, praising their courage in confronting repression.
The statement also condemned the regime’s sham trials, fabricated security cases and forced confessions extracted under torture. It noted that:
- More than 350 executions were carried out in February.
- An additional 33 people were executed in the first days of March.
The campaign called on international human rights bodies and the global community to act urgently and prevent further executions. Families of detainees were urged to publicly share information about their imprisoned loved ones.
As in previous weeks, families of political prisoners sentenced to death gathered in solidarity with the campaign, holding placards reading “No to executions” and “Political prisoners must be freed.”
24 February 2026
