Iran's Revolutionary Guard Threatens American Universities Across Middle East

Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened to retaliate against American universities after US-Israeli strikes destroyed two Iranian institutions.

“War in the Middle East: universities targeted, Israel expands its buffer zone into Lebanon”

Franceinfo

They demanded the US condemn the bombings by noon on March 30 or face retaliatory strikes.

Franceinfo

American University of Beirut closed its campus and shifted to online instruction.

Education City in Doha shut down as well.

This marked the first time civilian academic institutions became explicit targets.

Iran shifted retaliatory strikes to civilian and symbolic targets, including universities.

More than 30 Iranian universities had been struck.

Le Parisien

Israel expanded operations into Lebanon.

Yemen's Houthi movement formally entered the war.

The Pentagon was drafting plans for limited ground deployments, but Trump had not approved any move.

“Democracy Dies in Darkness By Mohamad El Chamaa BEIRUT — The American University of Beirut restricted access to all but essential personnel”

The Washington Post

Domestic opposition in the US remained strong.

The escalation threatened 20% of global oil supplies as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The targeting of universities prompted academic communities to scramble.

NYU Abu Dhabi closed.

Masrawy

Tehran Polytechnic evacuated its main campus.

This came at the 32nd day of the conflict.