Iran: Ongoing protests reported in Tehran January 11 /update 3

Event

Online sources have reported ongoing protests at several universities in Tehran as of the evening (local time) on Saturday, January 11. Students have gathered to show their opposition to the government following a recent announcement that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a missile that shot down the Ukraine International Airline (UIA) flight heading to Kyiv (Ukraine) on Wednesday, January 8. Thousands have reportedly gathered at the University of Tehran, Amir Kabir University, and Sharif University in protest.

A heightened security presence and significant transportation disruptions are to be expected over the coming several hours and potentially in the coming days in Tehran.

Context

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif announced on January 11 that the incident was due to "human error" after the plane flew too close to a Revolutionary Guards' military site. The plane crashed near the Tehran suburb of Parand shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) at approximately 06:12 on January 8. None of the 176 passengers and crew members on board survived the crash.

Advice

Individuals in Tehran are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized disruption, and obey all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.