Growing Student Protests Erupt in Iran Following Murder of 19-Year-Old on Campus

Growing Student Protests Erupt in Iran Following Murder of 19-Year-Old on Campus

Students across Iran are continuing their protests against the tragic murder of 19-year-old Amir Mohammad Khaleghi. The business student at Tehran University was the victim of a fatal robbery near a campus dormitory, incidentally igniting a wave of unrest and demonstrative anger among his peers.

Khaleghi was attacked on Wednesday, and despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. This devastating event has prompted protests since Friday, with students expressing their outrage towards university officials for perceived negligence in ensuring campus safety.

Protests Intensify Amid Calls for Justice

Clashes erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement near the location of Khaleghi’s death. Eyewitnesses reported that students chanted powerful slogans, including “Shame on you!” and “University security is a tool of the IRGC, you are our murderers!” Notably, their voices also echoed the sentiment, “The blood that has been spilled can never be erased.”

This unrest is significant, as it reflects broader discontent regarding security issues on campuses. As protests gained momentum, Iran’s vice-president, Mohammad Reza Aref, ordered an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Khaleghi’s death, signaling a governmental recognition of the protests’ gravity.

Official Responses to the Upheaval

The state’s response has been cautious yet firm. Hossein Sarraf, the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, addressed the protesters, asserting that