Why it matters:
The Student Day ceremony, held on December 7 (Azar 16th) with the presence of the President, highlights the importance of the youth, especially students, in resisting colonialism and Western pressures.
The big picture:
On December 7, 1953, while then-US Vice President Richard Nixon visited Iran, students protested in front of Tehran University against US interference in Iran's issues. The Shah’s regime violently suppressed the demonstration, killing three students and injuring many. Student Day (Azar 16) now commemorates this resistance and has become a key symbol of student activism in Iran.
What he's saying:
President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the importance of solidarity and tolerance in his speech, urging rational dialogue among different social groups. He stressed that all Iranians, whether actively involved or not, are part of the nation and should not be treated as “insiders” or “outsiders.”
Referring to the Basij, he said: “If there was no Basij and no people, we couldn’t have achieved anything in the war.” He added that every young person willing to contribute to the country’s development can be considered a Basiji.
Go deeper:
President Raisi marks Students Day at Shahid Beheshti University
Student Day; Symbol of Iran's anti-arrogance path
F.abedi - Mahboubeh Habibi
