"Freedom" slogans resound in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar amid student-led protests

Protesters inside Tehran’s Grand Bazaar raised their voices, chanting calls for freedom as demonstrations over economic hardship continued across the capital. Footage from the market showed groups of people chanting “Azadi, azadi, azadi” – translated as “Freedom, freedom, freedom.”

Simultaneously, students at the University of Tehran advanced toward the main gate, chanting anti-leadership slogans, according to video shared by a student channel. Footage published by the Telegram channel United Students captured students shouting “death to the dictator” as they moved toward the university’s principal entrance, Iran International reports.

ویدیوهای رسیده به ایران‌اینترنشنال نشان می‌دهند ماموران سرکوب سه‌شنبه نهم دی به سمت مردم معترض در خیابان ملت تهران به صورت مستقیم شلیک می‌کنند. pic.twitter.com/xOTdbeFBiO

— ايران اينترنشنال (@IranIntl) December 30, 2025

Students at the University of Tehran also issued public calls for citizens to approach the campus, citing heavy security presence that they said prevented them from joining street protests. In statements shared online, they noted that security forces had encircled areas around the university, restricting movement in and out of the campus.

“Citizens are urged to approach Tehran University so students can link up with protesters outside the campus perimeter,” messages circulated by student groups stated.

The appeal comes on the third day of protests and strikes prompted by economic difficulties, with universities across Tehran reporting demonstrations alongside heightened security and restricted access. Tehran University has repeatedly emerged as a focal point during waves of protest, with students often seeking to connect campus gatherings to wider street demonstrations.

By Vafa Guliyeva