American universities move operations online
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to bomb U.S. and Israeli universities in the Middle East, calling them “legitimate targets” on Sunday.
The threat followed reported U.S.-led attacks on two Iranian universities, according to Inside Higher Ed.
“The reckless rulers of the White House should know that from now on, all universities of the occupying regime and American universities in the West Asia region are legitimate targets for us until two universities are struck in retaliation for the Iranian universities that have been destroyed,” the IRGC stated.
“All staff, professors, and students of American universities in the region, as well as residents in their surroundings, are advised to stay at least one kilometer away from these universities to ensure their safety,” it stated.
New York University, Northwestern, and Georgetown operate branch campuses in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, while American University maintains campuses in Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt, Washington Examiner reported.
“Nearly all of those countries have already faced drone and missile attacks since the start of the Iran war, but university infrastructure has not yet been targeted,” the outlet reported.
Iran’s military demanded that the U.S. condemn the attack by March 30, warning that failure to do so could endanger American universities in the region, according to Inside Higher Ed.
In an announcement posted on its website Sunday, Georgetown University Qatar stated its “building will remain closed and inaccessible until further notice,” and operations will continue online.
Similarly, American University of Beirut President Fadlo Khuri, announced Sunday the school will operate virtually Monday and Tuesday.
“Like many of you, we learned early this morning of threats issued against American universities in the region. We have been looking into these reports diligently and gathering facts amidst the many rumors circulating on media outlets,” he wrote.
New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus also announced that it will close until further notice, The New York Times reported.
Amid the escalating regional conflict, Iranian students have been challenging the country’s regime.
In February, Iranian students engaged in anti-government demonstrations across at least seven universities, marking the first major rallies since a violent state crackdown in January, The College Fix reported.
This occurred just before President Donald Trump’s targeted attack against Iran for possibly working to develop a nuclear weapon.
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