Gen-Z protests resurface in Iran amid nuclear talks with US

Fresh waves of anti-government protests led by Iran’s Generation Z have erupted in Iran, even as Tehran engages in renewed nuclear negotiations with the United States. Demonstrations, rallies, and marches continued for a second consecutive day in the capital, Tehran.

According to AFP, the protests began Saturday as young demonstrators commemorated those killed in security force crackdowns during unrest in December and January, demanding accountability and justice. In response, pro-government youth groups also staged counter-rallies.

Iranian outlet Fars News Agency reported that protests have spread across three universities in Tehran, with Sharif University of Technology emerging as a focal point of the demonstrations.

Videos circulating on social media show students carrying flags associated with the era of former monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and chanting anti-government slogans, with some calling for the restoration of the monarchy.

Iran’s economy remains under severe strain due to multiple rounds of US sanctions, contributing to soaring inflation and rising living costs. Protests initially gained momentum in late December, led by business owners and shopkeepers over economic grievances, before evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations nationwide.

US President Donald Trump initially expressed support for the protesters and hinted at possible military measures, while maintaining a hardline stance on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Formal discussions between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear activities resumed on February 6. At the same time, the United States has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding the negotiations.