Three university students killed during protests in Tehran and Mashhad

Hengaw – Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Amirali Zarei, Alireza Rafiei-Rad, and Ali Zanganeh were killed during anti-government protests in Tehran and Mashhad after being shot by Iranian forces, based on information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.

Rafiei-Rad, a 20-year-old university student of electronics from Tehran, was killed in the Nazabad neighborhood of the capital on January 10, 2026. He was struck by live ammunition fired by Iranian forces, with the bullet severing a major artery and causing fatal injuries.

Zanganeh, a 24-year-old university student of electrical engineering from Mashhad, was killed during protests in the city on January 8, 2026. According to information received, he was shot by Iranian forces in front of the Imamieh police station and was struck by two live bullets to the chest and side.

Zarei, 35, a university student at the University of Art and a resident of Tehran’s Majidieh neighborhood, was also killed during protests in the capital after being shot by Iranian forces. Sources said he worked as a life-skills coach and was active in the field of healing and wellness.