Security forces arrested at least four students at Tehran University's dormitory after students held a protest earlier on Friday against the recent murder of a classmate by thieves.
Universities have been a frequent flashpoint anti-government unrest in Iran and students say the murder shows authorities are not providing sufficient safety.
"Tehran University dormitory is currently under siege ... More than 100 plainclothes officers are stationed at the entrance to Tehran University's dormitory," the Amirkabir university newsletter reported on its social media channels on Friday.
The student newsletter reported that a student it named as Amir Hossein Gohari was beaten and detained by plainclothes forces, while three other students were arrested, but their names remain unknown.
Earlier in the day, Tehran University students staged a protest against the university's policies and the lack of student safety in response to the death of their peer.
Amir Mohammad Khaleghi, an undergraduate student at the university's business management department, was attacked by robbers earlier this week and died from his injuries.
Protesters at the demonstration chanted, "Nothing can wipe away the blood that has been spilled" along with "Death to Khamenei", a reference to Iran's Supreme Leader, along with other anti-government slogans, reported the student newsletter.
According to Iranian media, Khaleghi was attacked with a sharp weapon on Wednesday evening by thieves in a neighborhood near Tehran University's dormitories.
In a sign of how serious authorities view the student unrest, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani urged calm on Friday and respect for authorities.
"We invite everyone to keep the path of dialogue open while maintaining calm," she said in a post on X following the student protest earlier in the day.
The Amirkabir newsletter reported that some students plan to continue their protest in a sit in in the courtyard of the university until the morning despite the presence of security forces.
Tehran University said in a statement on Thursday that the murder occurred outside its university grounds, further angering students.
"Since calls were made to the university about this incident, we inform you that this student's death occurred outside the university grounds, near Gisha Bridge," the statement said. "The university officials, upon receiving initial reports last night, are diligently following up on the matter."
The National Student Guild Council criticized the university's response, saying, "University officials shamelessly claim that the murder occurred outside the university grounds, and not only are they unaccountable for the lost life, but they also impose the responsibility of following up on the students."
The investigation into Khaleghi’s death is ongoing.
Iran’s Judiciary media center announced that, following the report of a robbery involving a Tehran University student, which led to his death due to the injuries sustained, the Tehran Prosecutor's Office immediately ordered the opening of a case in the special prosecutor's branch.
