Confederation of Iranian Students (National Union)

The Confederation of Iranian Students, National Union (CISNU) was the first universal Iranian student organization, established in 1960 in Heidelberg, Germany. Initially influenced by National Front and Tudeh Party sympathizers, the Confederation progressively radicalized throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually embracing Marxist, Maoist, and pro-guerrilla positions. CISNU played a prominent role in the international student protests of 1967–1969, particularly demonstrations against the Shah's state visits to Western Europe. The Iranian government declared CISNU illegal in 1971. By 1975, the Confederation had fragmented into competing Maoist and pro-guerrilla factions. CISNU was a key incubator of the Iranian left abroad, with many of its members joining organizations like the Fadaiyan-e Khalq and other revolutionary groups. The organization dissolved after the 1979 revolution as members returned to Iran.