Support Gathering for Workers at Several Universities, Attack by Basij Student Forces on Amir Kabir Gathering

According to reports, a group of students from several universities in Iran, including Amir Kabir, Kermanshah, and Nourshiri Babol, gathered in support of recent protests by workers and teachers and to protest economic problems. Based on videos shared on social media, the gathering of students at Amir Kabir University turned violent when a number of Basij student members attacked. According to the Telegram channel of the Free Workers Union, on Tuesday morning, December 4, a group of students from Amir Kabir University gathered in support of protesting workers from the Ahvaz Steel Company and Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company. These students demanded the release of imprisoned workers and teachers, including Ismail Bakhtiari and Mohammad Habibi, chanting slogans such as "Victory is from God and victory is near, death to this deceptive government." "The cannon, tank, and machine gun no longer have an effect," and "Mohammad Habibi must be freed" are among the slogans heard in the released videos. In response, a group of Basij student members attacked this gathering and chanted slogans against the protesting students and the government of Hassan Rouhani. Meanwhile, the Student News Agency, affiliated with the Basij, reported that "revolutionary students stood against these individuals and did not allow them to show off." Workers of the National Industrial Group of Steel in Iran continued their strike and protests in Ahvaz on Tuesday, December 4. The Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Syndicate announced on Tuesday that Ismail Bakhtiari, a representative of the workers of this company, and Sepideh Ghalean, a civil activist, have been "severely beaten and are under severe psychological and physical pressure." Additionally, according to the Telegram channel of the Student Guild Councils, on Tuesday, a group of students from Razi University in Kermanshah supported the protests of Haft Tappeh workers by chanting "Bread, work, freedom, council administration." On Tuesday, videos of gatherings of students from Nourshiri Babol University were also released. Students from Nourshiri Babol University demanded the release of Farhad Mithaemi, Ismail Bakhtiari, and other political prisoners. "The university is alive," "Stop suppressing students," and "A student will die but will not accept humiliation" are among the slogans written on the placards of these students. Previously, students from Tehran and Art universities had gathered in support of the protests at Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Factory and Steel Factory. On Tuesday, a protest gathering of students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Allameh Tabatabai University in Tehran was held in protest against the presence of intelligence ministry agents collaborating with security to create "fear and intimidation" among students. According to this report, the security of this faculty summoned an active student and an intelligence ministry agent interrogated and threatened this student in the security office. In October, reports were published regarding the summoning of several students to security agencies. Meanwhile, according to the Telegram channel of the Student Guild Councils, on Tuesday morning, Asal Mohammadi, a pharmacy student at Azad University and a civil activist, was arrested at her home. Previously, on the eve of Student Day, the "Justice-Seeking Students Assembly of Tehran University" sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic inviting him to attend this university to answer students' questions about the "40-year performance" of the Islamic Republic and its affiliated institutions. In this context, "The right to education; a right that is denied to some" a student was sentenced to six years in prison; the poor condition of several political prisoners. The Minister of Science stated: "There is no blacklist for university speakers." The president of Allameh University stated: "Students no longer have a desire for political activity." An Iranian academic official stated: "Students are afraid to express their opinions freely." The severe government crackdown and the danger of protests becoming "underground" are evident. What doctors and eyewitnesses recount about the injured in the protests. The limitations of relations between China and Iran have become apparent amid the protests.