Students chant ‘death to the dictator' as security pulls back at Tehran campus

Iranian reformist figure Behdad Nabavi said in an interview published Tuesday that reform means peaceful, legal change within the current system, while acknowledging that the process has become so difficult it could take decades.

In comments to Jamaran, Nabavi said reformism does not seek to overthrow the system or use illegal or violent methods.

“Reformism means changing the existing situation to a desirable one through a legal and peaceful path,” he said. “It does not want to overthrow the system.”

He said reformists aim to move the country toward what they define as a better outcome “within this same structure” and through “calm and legal” methods.

Nabavi added that he has concluded the reform path is now “very winding” and difficult, arguing that today’s young people have little tolerance for a gradual process.

“It may take 50 years,” he said, describing a slow legal route that, in his view, struggles to meet the urgency of public expectations.

Head of the Supreme Court of Iran, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, said on Tuesday that authorities must listen to what he described as legitimate and lawful protests, acknowledging widespread economic pressure as demonstrations continued across Iran.

According to a statement published by the Supreme Court, Montazeri said officials should act with caution and address public grievances to prevent misuse of protests by hostile actors.

“Legitimate and lawful protests of the people must be heard,” he said.

Students at the University of Tehran called on the public on Tuesday to move toward the campus, saying heavy security around the university was preventing them from joining street protests, according to messages circulated by student groups.

In statements shared online, students said security forces had encircled areas around the university, limiting movement in and out of the campus.

They urged citizens to approach Tehran University so that students could link up with protesters outside the campus perimeter.

The appeal came on the third day of protests and strikes over economic hardship, as universities across Tehran reported demonstrations alongside tightened security and access controls.

Tehran University has been a recurring focal point during protest waves, with students often attempting to connect campus gatherings to wider street demonstrations.

Iranian security forces fired directly toward protesters on Tehran’s Mellat Street on Tuesday as demonstrations continued across the capital.

Footage showed officers aiming weapons toward groups of demonstrators on the street, with shots audible as people scattered.

The videos did not make clear whether the ammunition used was live or less-lethal, and there was no immediate information on injuries.

Mellat Street is located near central administrative and commercial areas of Tehran and has seen protest activity during previous unrest.

Protesters inside Tehran’s Grand Bazaar chanted calls for freedom on Tuesday.

Footage showed groups of people chanting “Azadi, azadi, azadi” – “Freedom, freedom, freedom” – inside the market.