Iran threatens US universities in the Middle East after its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps signaled retaliation over recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian academic institutions. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions, moving the focus from military targets to civilian educational facilities.
According to Iranian media reports, the Revolutionary Guard issued a statement warning that U.S.-affiliated universities across the Gulf could face attacks if Washington does not formally condemn the strikes. “If the US government wants its universities in the region to be free from retaliation, it must condemn the bombing of the universities in an official statement by 12 noon on Monday, March 30, Tehran time,” the statement said.
The warning also extended to individuals near these institutions. “We advise all employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas to stay a kilometer away from campuses,” it added, emphasizing the potential danger to civilians.
The threats follow recent airstrikes in Tehran between Friday and Saturday that reportedly damaged buildings at the University of Science and Technology. No casualties were reported, but the attacks have fueled fears of broader retaliation against American interests in the region. Several U.S. universities operate campuses in the Gulf, including Texas A&M University in Qatar and New York University in the United Arab Emirates, placing students and faculty directly in potential danger.
Analysts note that this move reflects an unsettling shift in Iran’s approach to regional confrontation. Traditionally, attacks focused on military or strategic infrastructure, but targeting academic institutions signals a willingness to extend the theater of conflict into spaces usually considered off-limits. The warnings raise questions about the safety of foreign students and educators and put additional pressure on U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East.
Regional observers point out that such threats can strain local governments hosting these institutions, forcing a delicate balance between security measures and international educational engagement. The escalation also underlines the fragile state of U.S.-Iranian relations and the broader implications for Gulf stability.
While no immediate response from the U.S. government had been reported at the time of the statement, the situation underscores the complex intersection of military action, education, and diplomacy in a volatile region. The coming days will likely reveal whether Washington issues the condemnation Iran demands and how universities in the Middle East adjust their security protocols in response to these warnings.
