Iran Threatens American, Israeli University Campuses in Middle East Following Reported Strikes
Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Foreign Ministry have issued stark threats against American and Israeli university campuses across the Middle East. These threats stipulate conditions for their reprieve, following reported strikes on Iranian educational and research centers. In response, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq has issued a security alert for American-associated educational institutions and advised U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately.
Iranian Threats and Demands
The Revolutionary Guard has declared Israeli and American educational facilities in the region as "legitimate targets," contingent on the United States' response to recent strikes on Iranian universities. The Guard's demands include:
- An official U.S. government condemnation of strikes on Iranian universities by Monday, March 30, at 12:00.
- Prevention by the U.S. of further Israeli strikes on Iranian universities and research centers.
- The evacuation of American and Israeli educational facilities in the region, with students and staff advised to maintain a distance of at least one kilometer.
The Revolutionary Guard has declared Israeli and American educational facilities in the region as "legitimate targets," contingent on the United States' response.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei reported that several Iranian universities and research centers, including the Iran University of Science and Technology and Isfahan University of Technology, have been affected by strikes.
Additionally, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, issued a warning to the United States regarding a potential ground invasion. He stated that Iranian forces are "waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever," and affirmed that "Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased." Ghalibaf also commented on a 15-point plan passed by Pakistan to Iran, describing it as "their wishes" and alleging that the Trump administration is attempting to achieve through the plan what it has not achieved by force.
"Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased."
He concluded that Iran's response to demands for surrender is "Far be it from us to accept humiliation."
U.S. Embassy Response and Regional Alerts
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert to American universities in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok, as well as other institutions perceived to be associated with the United States. The embassy stated that "Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East."
The alert further noted that the "Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks against the United States and regional countries from Iraqi territory." It advised, "US citizens should leave Iraq now."
The embassy's statement also mentioned that Iran and allied militias "may intend to target the American Universities in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk, along with other universities perceived to be associated with the United States," and asserted that Iran and affiliated militias have already conducted "widespread attacks on U.S. citizens, targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq."
American colleges with campuses in the region include Georgetown, New York University, and Northwestern in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The American University of Beirut (AUB) announced a two-day shift to remote operations, with President Fadlo Khouri stating the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution" despite no direct evidence of threats.
Context and Broader Implications
Israel's military has acknowledged striking Iranian universities, stating these facilities are connected to weapons development. This marks the first reported instance of Iran threatening to strike Israeli and American universities. Many regional universities had already transitioned to online instruction following reported U.S. and Israeli actions in Iran.