On Sunday, February 22, 2026, protests erupted at several universities in Tehran, Iran, with students demonstrating against the regime and clashing with counter-protesters. These demonstrations, marked by the use of the banned monarchist flag and tributes to victims of repression, occurred as the Iranian army awaited the arrival of a second aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. The Iranian government asserted its resilience amidst these internal tensions and external military presence, while also expressing hope for an agreement to avert potential American intervention.