Iranian students at Tehran university attacked by police with 'live rounds used on protesters'

Iranian police attacked student demonstrators at Sharif University in Tehran, according to reports and social media posts, highlighting authorities' brutal crackdown on nationwide protests. 

Multiple videos and images on social media, allegedly from the scene, show Iranian police violently detaining students and reportedly firing live ammunition at the university campus protests. 

Students have traditionally been at the forefront of protest movements in Iran, including recent unrest over the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

You have to watch it several times to understand how the Sharif University students are being arrested. At the end of the video, the security forces shoot the person who is filming.#مهسا_امینی #MahsaAmini #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/Q8dn9GUyly

— 1500tasvir_en (@1500tasvir_en) October 2, 2022

One account called 1500tasvir, which has more than 25,000 followers on Twitter, shared a video showing dozens of policemen on motorcycles allegedly on their way to Iran’s Sharif University. One of the policemen later turns toward the camera and shoots the cameraman. 

Islamic Republic oppressive forces opening fire at Sharif Uni students inside the campus.
Firing tear gas, live ammo and pellets. They have trapped the students, not letting them out.
Many have been arrested.
Students requesting help to be rescued.#مهسا_امینی #IranTruth pic.twitter.com/ldNnR6g8xg

— IranTrue (@iran_true) October 2, 2022

A second video shared by IranTrue, an independent group showing the 'truth about Iran' according to the page bio, shows security forces allegedly at the university where gunfire can be heard in the background. 

The caption reads: "Islamic Republic oppressive forces opening fire at Sharif Uni students inside the campus. Firing tear gas, live ammo and pellets. They have trapped the students, not letting them out. Many have been arrested. Students requesting help to be rescued."

نزدیک نیمه شب. مردم رفته بودند به کمک بچه‌های دانشگاه شریف. صدای این مردم هنوز به گوش حکومت نرسیده، چون ترسیده#مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/hLrFmRZ5r9

— Kianoosh Sanjari (@Sanjaribaf) October 2, 2022

Iranian journalist and blogger Kianoosh Sanjari shared a video of a massive traffic jam at midnight near the university. "People have gone to help the children of Sharif University. The voice of these people has not yet reached the ears of the government, because they are afraid," he said.

The New Arab cannot independently verify any of the footage but Iranian universities have been hotbeds of protests for the past few days.

Thousands of students joined demonstrations across the country demanding the government abolish the so-called morality police following Amini's alleged killing. 

Amini, a Kurdish Iranian, died after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf 'improperly'. Her family and witnesses say she was beaten in custody, leading to her death.

The ensuing protests have engulfed the nation, with women in particular speaking out against the government and protesting harsh so-called modesty laws by removing their headscarves and cutting their hair. 

Sharif University is one of Iran's highest-ranking universities. Iranian media have said that classes have been suspended there on Monday, according to AFP.