Iranian students protest across country over exam changes; several arrests reported

Students chant slogans such as ‘Justice, education, our undeniable right’ at rallies that began last month, in first sign of dissent since internet blackout lifted

Iranian high school students have been holding mass protests in around 20 different provinces, the opposition-affiliated Iran International said in a report on Saturday, adding that some demonstrations have been met with violence and arrests from authorities.

The report, which published footage of the rallies, said the protests began in late May and stem from anger over changes to exam scheduling and rules, which students said could negatively affect their chances of admission to universities.

Protests have since taken place in front of the Education Ministry in Tehran and other major cities such as Isfahan. Protests have also spread to the provinces of West Azarbaijan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Fars, Qazvin, Qom, Lorestan, Yazd, and nearly a dozen others, the report said.

In clashes in Yazd, several student protesters were injured, the outlet added. At least one was arrested in Qom, it said.

A video sent to the opposition outlet showed students in Tehran gathering outside government buildings and chanting, “Justice, education, our undeniable right.”

Iran International said that students it has talked to have complained that school closures, changes to education policies, and other social issues have been plaguing their education.

June 6—Tehran, Iran
Students hold protest rally, chanting, "Students will die but won't accept humiliation."#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/Dh5TxVsXKT

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 6, 2026

The protests seem to be focused on issues surrounding Iran’s education policies. They do not seem connected to the anti-regime protests that erupted in January, where Iranian authorities killed thousands in a major crackdown.

However, it appeared to be the first sign of dissent reported since Iran began lifting its months-long internet shutdown at the end of last month.

Authorities justified the outage as a military imperative after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.