{"id":3413,"date":"2026-02-22T12:42:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T12:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpiran.org\/english\/?p=3413"},"modified":"2026-02-22T12:52:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T12:52:10","slug":"nationwide-university-protests-intensify-abdanan-and-mormori-rise-pensioners-rally-arrests-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpiran.org\/english\/nationwide-university-protests-intensify-abdanan-and-mormori-rise-pensioners-rally-arrests-continue\/","title":{"rendered":"Nationwide university protests intensify; Abdanan and Mormori rise; pensioners rally; arrests continue"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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 \u201cPolitical prisoners must be freed.\u201d 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 \u2014 united, defiant, and determined to free all detainees and confront the regime\u2019s repression.<\/p>\n

Nationwide university protests intensify; Abdanan and Mormori rise; pensioners rally; arrests continue<\/strong><\/p>\n

21\u201322 February 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019 protests continue to expand.<\/p>\n

Abdanan: street protests over arrests<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 21 February, residents of Abdanan<\/strong> gathered outside the Intelligence Office and police station to protest arrests and demand the release of Yaghoub Mohammadi<\/strong>, a respected protesting teacher detained and transferred to an unknown location.<\/p>\n

The gathering quickly turned into a street protest, with demonstrators taking control of parts of the city and chanting:<\/p>\n

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  • \u201cDeath to Khamenei\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cPolitical prisoners must be freed\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Abdanan has become a symbol of open defiance, with repeated mobilisations despite internet shutdowns and arrests.<\/p>\n

    Mormori joins the protest<\/strong><\/p>\n

    On the night of 21 February, residents of Mormori (Ilam province)<\/strong> took to the streets in solidarity with Abdanan and in protest against arrests. Protesters reportedly took control of several neighbourhoods and chanted:<\/p>\n

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    • \u201cDeath to Khamenei\u201d<\/li>\n
    • \u201cDeath to the dictator\u201d<\/li>\n
    • \u201cDeath to the IRGC\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      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.<\/p>\n

      Abdanan\u2019s chant \u2014 \u201cPolitical prisoners must be freed\u201d \u2014 is spreading beyond the province.<\/p>\n

      Universities: a nationwide centre of resistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

      On 21 and 22 February, students gathered across multiple campuses demanding the release of detainees and protesting the regime\u2019s mass killings.<\/p>\n