New protests against the government in Iran broke out today with the start of the new semester at the "Sharif" University of Technology in the capital Tehran, DPA reported, citing messages from activists on social networks, BTA reported.
Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans. There were also clashes with paramilitary groups. Witnesses confirmed that large groups of students had gathered on campus.
Additional protests were also organized by medical students in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
Sharif University, considered one of the most prestigious universities in the country, has already been among the main centers of demonstrations during previous waves of protests, including the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement.
Cries of "Long live the Shah" can also be heard in distributed video footage - a reference to opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Iranian monarch, who was overthrown in 1979.
Arrests were made during the protests.
Mehr News Agency reported that the academic process was resuming after more than a month of delays. Universities suspended operations amid mass demonstrations in early January. Some universities have recently resumed teaching with online courses due to restrictions on internet access during the January protests.