Iranian Officials Warn Students Against Protests Amid US Military Threats Over Nuclear Program

Iranian officials on Tuesday warned students against holding anti-government rallies, as the Iranian government and leaders face pressure from recent large-scale opposition protests and threats of US military action over its nuclear program.

University students announced a new wave of protests after a gathering over the weekend. This movement was declared following nationwide demonstrations against the leadership currently holding the reins of power.

The government and protesters appear mutually wary of each other but resolute in their stances regarding the protests that escalated into extreme violence and fatal crackdowns in January.

In a video verified by AFP on Tuesday, the fourth consecutive day of student protests, two groups were seen confronting each other in a large hall at Tehran University. Before clashes erupted, one group was seen waving the Iranian flag while the other chanted anti-government slogans.

The flag that the Islamic Republic of Iran has upheld since the 1979 revolution was burned by students the previous day, according to the video.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, giving the first official reaction to the rallies on Tuesday, stated that while students have the right to protest, they must "understand the red lines."

She added, "The national flag is one of these red lines that we must defend and not cross or deviate from, even at the peak of anger."

She said, "The students of Iran have the 'scars of previous violence in their hearts and they have seen scenes that can disappoint and anger them. This anger is understandable.'"

The initial wave of protests began in December, stemming from economic problems in the sanctioned country, but quickly morphed into nationwide demonstrations. The previous phase of unrest ended on January 9 after it turned violent and was met with widespread government suppression.

That movement was the biggest challenge for Iran's leaders in years.

Thousands of people lost their lives while confronting government suppression during the protests.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that more than seven thousand people died during the unrest.

Iranian officials have also admitted that more than three thousand people died during the protests, but they attribute the violence to the "provocative activities" of the United States and Israel.

During the protests, the government attempted to walk a fine line between acknowledging the legitimate economic grievances of the protesters and condemning the so-called "rioters."

Mohajerani said, "A fact-finding mission is investigating the 'causes and factors' of the protests, but rights groups warn that the crackdown continues, with tens of thousands already arrested."

Videos from outside various universities in the capital on Tuesday showed crowds chanting slogans against the Islamic clerics. Many pictures were blurry or only showed hands, seemingly to conceal identities.

A report released Tuesday by Human Rights Watch researcher Bahar Saba stated, "The authorities continue to terrorize the population."

"Arrests are ongoing, and detainees face torture, forced 'confessions,' and secret executions," she said.