By Asqar Karimi – 23 February 2026
While students at various universities are courageously holding rallies and chanting against Khamenei and the Islamic Republic, they are facing attacks from two sides. On the one hand, Basij forces assault them with batons and clubs. On the other hand, a number of monarchist elements, with filthy slogans such as “Death to the three corrupt ones” and similar chants, attempt to break up the united ranks of the students. One side has the backing of the government, the judiciary, university security and the entire repressive apparatus; the other enjoys the support of right-wing media abroad.
The students chant: “Death to Khamenei,” “Death to the Supreme Leadership,” “Death to the Islamic Republic,” “Basij and IRGC are our ISIS,” and “Woman, Life, Freedom.” In contrast, a small minority, with slogans such as “Long live the Shah” and “Death to the leftists, the Mojahedin and the ‘57ers,” create the conditions for Basij thugs to attack the students. One side enjoys the backing of the government, the judiciary, university security and the entire repressive apparatus. The other benefits from the support of right-wing media abroad.
The overwhelming majority of students, however, are acting responsibly and with a high level of political culture, awareness and vigilance. While responding to this irresponsible fringe, they have kept their focus firmly on anti–Islamic Republic slogans — slogans that for years have been shouted in the streets by an outraged people. These are slogans whose sharp edge is directed squarely at the ruling criminals and which unite the vast majority of society around their most urgent task: the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
The powerful and widespread student protests that have resumed with the start of the new term deserve the warm support of all those who seek the overthrow of this regime. Society should rise in support of them — from teachers’, workers’ and retirees’ organisations to artists and writers, women’s rights activists, Woman, Life, Freedom activists, and all decent and freedom-loving people.
One of the students’ key slogans is: “Free the imprisoned student.” A significant number of students are in prison, and every day more are arrested or face fabricated charges. Let us stand with the students and their just slogans and demands — and push back both forces confronting them.
