Iranian students protest as US military pressure mounts over nuclear talks, with clashes reported at universities and thousands killed in recent unrest

PARIS: Iranian students chanted anti-government slogans and clashed with counter-protesters on Saturday.

The gatherings at universities were the latest display of anger at the country’s clerical leaders.

The protests follow a mass movement that was met with a violent government crackdown last month. That crackdown left thousands dead, according to rights groups.

Videos geolocated to Tehran’s top engineering university showed fights breaking out in a crowd. People were heard shouting “bi sharaf”, or “disgraceful” in Farsi.

Footage also showed a large crowd chanting anti-government slogans at Sharif University of Technology. The Fars news agency later reported injuries from scuffles at the institution.

Iranians had reprised protest slogans earlier this week. They marked the 40th day since thousands were killed as demonstrations peaked on January 8 and 9.

The unrest first broke out in December over prolonged financial strain. It exploded into mass anti-government protests that were suppressed in a violent crackdown.

The clerical authorities acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths. They say the violence was caused by “terrorist acts” fuelled by Iran’s enemies.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has recorded more than 7,000 killings. The vast majority were protesters, though the toll may be far higher.

Fars said a planned “silent and peaceful sit-in” on Saturday was disrupted. People chanted slogans including “death to the dictator”, a reference to Iran’s supreme leader.

A video posted by Fars showed a group chanting and waving Iranian flags. They faced off with a masked crowd being held back by men in suits.

Ever since the initial wave of protests, the United States and Iran have been trading threats. The US has increased its military presence in the region to pressure Iran’s authorities.

The US has dispatched two aircraft carriers and redeployed dozens of warplanes to the Middle East. This build-up seeks to pressure Iran as the two sides pursue nuclear talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would submit a draft proposal for an agreement. He said it would be read in a matter of days following the latest negotiations.

Araghchi also said the “US side has not asked for zero enrichment” of uranium. This contradicted statements from American officials.

Iran denies it is trying to produce nuclear weapons. It insists on its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.

US media reported Washington was prepared to consider a deal permitting “small, token enrichment”. Trump has suggested “bad things” will happen if Tehran does not strike a deal.

Fears of a conflict have prompted several foreign countries to urge their citizens to leave Iran. They warned commercial flight availability could change quickly.

A previous round of nuclear diplomacy last year was interrupted by Israel’s surprise bombing campaign. The United States ultimately joined its ally, striking nuclear facilities before declaring a ceasefire.

Iran has maintained that it will defend itself in the event of any new attack. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country would “not yield to any trial”.

 The Sun Malaysia