In Iran, students at several universities held large anti-government protests marking the first demonstrations on this scale since a violent government crackdown last month. The students marching at Sharif University in Tehran yesterday, where clashes broke out with pro-government groups. Other demonstrations and a sit-in were reported in Tehran and in the northeast, with students honoring those killed in January’s mass protests.

Tensions between the US and Iran are rising. The US has increased its military presence near Iran, and President Donald Trump has warned that the US may take military action if a nuclear deal is not reached soon. US and Iranian officials met in Switzerland this week and said progress was made in talks about limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said the world would know within about 10 days whether a deal would be reached or whether the US might resort to force.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded to the European Union’s decision to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization by declaring EU naval and air forces to be terrorist groups as well. Iran said this was a legal reciprocal action because the EU followed the US in designating the IRGC.

The US, Israel, and their allies continue to push Iran to stop uranium enrichment over fears it could lead to nuclear weapons but Iran denies.

According to the media reports, US air and naval forces have been deployed near Iran as the largest US military buildup in the region since 2003, and reportedly ready to strike Iran as soon as this weekend, though no final decision has been made.