Content Warning: This story contains mentions of violence

The Iranian Students’ and Scholars’ Association (ISSA) and Iowa State University students rallied for humanitarian aid for Iran during a campus protest Friday in front of Parks Library.

Protests have been erupting in Iran since Dec. 28, 2025, following a sharp collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial. On Jan. 8, the regime cracked down on protests, cutting off the country’s internet access in a blackout lasting nearly 20 days. 

Officials in Iran’s Ministry of Health reported to TIME that death tolls have exceeded 30,000. 

Alireza Bahari, a graduate student majoring in industrial design and human-computer interaction, came to the protest, handing out informational pamphlets to help educate fellow students.

“For about two weeks, the regime completely shut down the internet and communication,” Bahari said. “During that time, they continued massacring people while the world could not see what was happening… That is why the world must pay attention. This is about human rights.”

Zohreh Parvini, a graduate student majoring in electrical engineering, shared why she came to participate in the protest despite her being injured and on crutches.

“It’s just to support our people back in Iran,” Parvini said. “I am from Iran, and all my family is back in Iran. There’s been a massacre happening.”

Parvini said that the demonstration was intended to raise awareness of the unrest in Iran.

“We haven’t seen any action yet,” Parvini said. “So, we are just here to be their voice and just ask for help… We can acknowledge that they are troubling the people and causing a lot of problems in the Middle East.”

Bahari explained the goal of not just the ISSA’s demonstration, but the international protests as well.

“It is not about the economy at all; that is far behind the real issue,” Bahari said. “People want to take their country back and be free from the Islamic regime… They chant for a new leader who represents a complete break from the Islamic regime.”

Bahari said these calls reflect long-standing opposition to the government’s leadership since the Islamic Revolution.

“The regime has used Iran’s resources to support terrorism and destroy Iran’s reputation globally,” Bahari said. “Before the revolution 47 years ago, Iran had a strong economy, good relationships with its neighbors, and was a key ally of the United States.”

Many members of ISSA are from or have family in Iran, prompting them to speak out on their behalf.

“All of this is deeply personal to us,” Bahari said. “We are international students who came from Iran. We have lived this reality.”

As an international student from Iran, Bahari shared how he felt watching the news unfold.

“During the internet shutdowns, we were thousands of miles away from home,” Bahari said. “We did not know whether our families or friends were alive. Information leaked slowly through… For weeks, we lived in fear.”

Bahari said he joined the protest to show support for civilians affected by the Iranian government’s response to recent demonstrations.

“We are here to support the people because when millions of people came out into the streets about three weeks ago, the Islamic regime opened fire on them,” Bahari said. “The number of dead bodies is rising… That is horrifying. We are here to be the voice of those people. They need help.” 

According to Bahari, the government’s response has extended beyond protesters to their families.

“They labeled protesters as terrorists, while they themselves piled thousands of bodies on top of each other,” Bahari said. “When families searched for their loved ones, they were told to find their bodies among mass graves. When families did find the bodies, the regime demanded large sums of money to return them.”

Bahari said these experiences are why many Iranians continue to protest, calling for change, freedom and international support.

“Iranians want to return to that place — to peace, friendship and strong relationships with their neighbors,” Bahari said. “Iranian people are on the front line of this fight, not only for themselves but for the entire world. A free Iran would be a strong ally of the United States.” 

Bahari explained that the protest was a way to amplify the voices of those unable to speak out safely. 

“Iranian people need support,” Bahari said. “We ask ISU students to help by being our voice — on social media, by contacting senators and by demanding real and immediate action to support the Iranian people.

The call for support extends beyond the ISU campus, Bahari said. 

“Iranians around the world are protesting and trying to be the voice of the people,” Bahari said. “Please be our voice.”

Protests in Iran and abroad continue as demonstrators call for political change. To learn more about ISSA, click here.