Iranian forces shoot dead two university students during protests in Tehran

Hengaw – Sunday, January 11, 2026

Aida Heidari and Zahra Behloulipour, two female students at the University of Tehran, were killed by direct gunfire from forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran during public protests in Tehran.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Aida Heidari (21), a medical sciences student, and Zahra Behloulipour (19), an Italian language student, were shot by government forces during protests on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

A University of Tehran student, speaking to Hengaw, stated that Aida Heidari was shot dead in Sadeghieh Square, while Zahra Behloulipour was killed on Fatemi Street in central Tehran.

The source added that Aida Heidari was a 2025 entry-year student, while Zahra Behloulipour entered the university in 2024.

Public protests on January 8 took place simultaneously across several areas of Tehran and drew widespread public participation. The demonstrations were met with severe repression, including violence and the direct use of live ammunition by Iranian forces against protesters.