Tehran: Tensions in West Asia have escalated further after Iran’s powerful military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), issued a stark warning that universities associated with the United States and Israel in the region could be targeted in response to recent attacks on Iranian academic institutions.
The warning follows reported strikes on Tehran University of Science and Technology, where parts of research and scientific infrastructure were damaged. Iranian authorities have blamed what they described as “American-Zionist forces” for the assault, calling it a direct attack on the country’s intellectual and academic backbone.
In a strongly worded statement, the IRGC said institutions linked to the US and Israel would now be considered “legitimate targets” until retaliatory action is carried out. It also advised civilians, including students and faculty, to stay at least one kilometre away from such campuses for their safety.
The threat comes amid ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel, which have intensified over the past month. Iranian officials claim that multiple key sites have come under attack, including industrial facilities and nuclear-related infrastructure. Earlier, Isfahan University of Technology was also reportedly hit, sustaining structural damage.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes, alleging they undermine diplomatic efforts and warning that Tehran would impose a “heavy cost” in response. He further accused Israel of widening its targets beyond military assets to include civilian and research institutions.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described the attacks as part of a broader campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s scientific progress. He argued that concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme were being used as a justification for such actions.
According to reports, Iran has also set conditions to avert further escalation, including a demand that Washington publicly condemn the attacks within a specified deadline.
The developments mark a significant shift in the conflict, raising concerns about the safety of educational institutions and the potential for a wider regional fallout if retaliatory threats are carried out.
