Iranian security forces deploy vehicles at schools in Tabriz, Ahvaz

Summary

Footage sent to Iran International revealed a special forces vehicle on a school campus in Tabriz and Iranian security forces' motorcycles in a courtyard at a school in Ahvaz, highlighting a troubling trend of security forces utilizing educational institutions for staging. This practice has reportedly been ongoing, with multiple Iranian cities experiencing similar deployments, including Imam Ali high school in Arak, which was used during the deadly January 2026 protests. The use of schools, often located in residential areas, has raised concerns over the safety of civilians amid increasing militarization of these civilian sites.

Analysis

Iran International: Iran International is a Persian- and English-language news organization reporting on political, security, and social developments in Iran and the wider region. In this report, it published footage showing Iranian security personnel and vehicles stationed on school grounds in Tabriz and Ahvaz, while linking the deployments to similar use of schools during earlier protests. Iranian security forces: Iranian security forces are the state security and law-enforcement bodies responsible for maintaining internal order, including police, special units, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and affiliated paramilitary forces. They are relevant to this report because footage reportedly shows their vehicles and equipment deployed on school campuses in several Iranian cities. School use: Recent reporting by Iran International says security and military forces have used school campuses in multiple Iranian cities to station personnel, vehicles, and equipment, prompting officials in Tehran to call for schools to be returned before the academic year. Civilian sites: Schools provide large courtyards and buildings located within residential areas, making them useful staging locations but also raising concerns about the presence of security forces and military equipment near civilians. Recent pattern: Iran International has reported deployments involving police, special units, and Basij forces across several cities, indicating that the reported use of schools is part of a broader internal-security pattern rather than an isolated incident.

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