Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that Israeli and American universities in West Asia will be treated as legitimate targets after strikes on major Iranian academic institutions. The IRGC condemned what it called American‑Zionist aggressor forces for allegedly striking Tehran’s University of Science and Technology, and said that universities linked to Israel and the United States in the region would remain under threat until at least two such institutions had been hit in retaliation. Iranian state media reported the IRGC advised faculty, students and nearby residents to stay at least one kilometre from those campuses for safety.
The IRGC also set a condition for avoiding retaliation, demanding that the US government issue an official statement condemning the attacks on Iranian universities by 12 noon Tehran time on March 30.
The warning followed a strike on the Tehran institution that reportedly damaged parts of its scientific and research infrastructure. Earlier, Isfahan University of Technology was hit, with at least one building damaged.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of targeting key infrastructure, including steel plants, a power facility and civilian nuclear sites, saying such attacks undermine diplomatic efforts and would incur a heavy price. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei characterized the strikes on Isfahan and Tehran universities as part of a broader pattern over the past 30 days, alleging that universities, research centres, historical sites and prominent scientists have been deliberately targeted in what he called an illegal campaign using concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme as a pretext.
