TEHRAN – In a statement carried by the semi-official Fars news agency, the IRGC accused the United States and Israel of repeatedly bombing Iranian universities, including the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran and Isfahan University of Technology. The warning came as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its second month.
“From now on, all universities of the occupying entity (Israel) and American universities in West Asia will be considered legitimate targets,” the IRGC said, framing the move as a direct response to the destruction of Iranian academic institutions.
The IRGC called on staff and students at US-linked universities in the region, as well as nearby residents, to stay at least one kilometer away from such facilities for their safety—an indication that attacks may be imminent.
Targeting Educational Infrastructure
The IRGC’s warning follows a demand issued Wednesday that Washington condemn attacks on Iranian universities or face retaliatory strikes. Iranian media has reported several US and Israeli strikes on educational facilities since the conflict began on February 28, including the two universities named by the IRGC.
The targeting of educational institutions represents a significant expansion of the conflict’s scope. While previous Iranian retaliation has focused on military assets, the IRGC’s statement suggests that Tehran is prepared to respond in kind to strikes on what it considers civilian infrastructure.
The Conflict So Far
Since February 28, the US and Israel have maintained airstrikes on Iran, killing more than 1,340 people, according to Iranian figures, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes have targeted nuclear facilities, military installations, and industrial infrastructure, including Iran’s largest steel companies.
Iran has retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The attacks have caused casualties and damaged infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
The IRGC’s latest warning suggests that Tehran is preparing to expand its targeting criteria to include academic institutions—a move that could dramatically escalate the conflict.
US and Israeli Universities in the Region
The IRGC’s statement refers to “American universities in West Asia”—a category that includes several institutions in Gulf states that have established branch campuses of US universities. These include New York University Abu Dhabi, Georgetown University in Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, and others.
Israeli universities are also present in the region, though primarily within Israel itself. The IRGC’s reference to “universities of the occupying entity” suggests it is prepared to target academic institutions within Israeli territory as well.
International Reaction
The IRGC’s warning is likely to draw sharp international condemnation. Targeting universities—institutions dedicated to education and research—would represent a significant departure from the norms of armed conflict and could be considered a violation of international humanitarian law.
Gulf states hosting US university branches may also face difficult decisions about security and the future of their partnerships with American academic institutions. The IRGC’s warning that staff, students, and nearby residents should stay at least one kilometer away from such facilities suggests that attacks could be imminent.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Despite the escalation, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue. Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator, hosting the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt over the weekend for consultations on de-escalation. China has expressed support for Pakistan’s mediation role.
However, the IRGC’s latest warning suggests that Iran’s military leadership is not waiting for diplomacy to bear fruit. The Revolutionary Guards, which have gained significant influence during the conflict, appear to be preparing for a protracted confrontation.
A Dangerous Escalation
The IRGC’s declaration that US and Israeli universities are “legitimate targets” represents a dangerous escalation in a conflict already marked by its expanding scope. By threatening academic institutions, Iran is signaling that no category of infrastructure—even those dedicated to education and research—is off-limits.
For the Gulf states hosting US university branches, the warning presents a security dilemma. These institutions are symbols of the deep educational and cultural ties between the Gulf and the United States. Making them potential targets could force governments to reconsider their hosting arrangements or invest heavily in air defense systems to protect them.
For the United States, the IRGC’s warning adds another layer of complexity to a conflict already straining military resources and international alliances. The potential need to defend academic institutions across the region could further stretch US air defense assets already engaged in protecting military bases and critical infrastructure.
As the conflict enters its second month, with no ceasefire in sight, the IRGC’s threat to target universities signals that Iran is prepared to escalate further. Whether diplomacy can halt this trajectory before it reaches another dangerous threshold remains an open question.
