Iran Universities May Go Virtual Amid Protest Fears

The government is weighing online classes for the first 10 days of the upcoming academic year in September, coinciding with the death of Mahsa Amini in hijab police custody that triggered the nationwide uprising.

The move follows the summoning of students and former detainees as part of the regime's preparations to maintain control during a sensitive period.

Mehdi Golshani, Director General of Public Transport and Regional Affairs of Tehran Municipality confirmed discussions with relevant educational institutions regarding the possibility of virtualizing university classes starting from September 23.

Golshani explained that this proposition aims to "reduce traffic in the capital," though a final decision is yet to be made.

The announcement has sparked reactions from citizens on social media, with some interpreting it as an indication of the regime's apprehension about potential protests.

A critic voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of the plan, stating, "I find it unlikely that the virtualization of university classes will have an effect on the desired traffic situation!"

Recent days have witnessed increased security measures, including the summoning of students from various universities, alongside detainees from the previous uprising against the Islamic Republic.

Mostafa Rostami, the head of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's representative in universities, expressed concern on July 21, stating, "The enemy has not given up and they have announced that the university is the first place where new riots should start."