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Iran's conservatives step up scrutiny on university students

Principlists consolidate state control over Islamic Azad University in the aftermath of the recent protests in Iran.
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On Jan. 14, Islamic Azad University (IAU) approved new rules that are set to increase state control over its many campuses. The move will also consolidate the Principlists’ grip over Iran’s largest private university.

As part of the new regulations, the Friday prayer leaders of Iran’s 31 provincial capitals were placed on the university’s regional boards of trustees. These clerics are appointed directly by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a different announcement on the same day, IAU management declared that music concerts were outlawed on all of its campuses.

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