Iran has accused the United States and Israel of deliberately attacking its academic institutions, claiming that strikes on universities such as Isfahan University of Technology and Tehran University of Science and Technology are part of a larger effort to weaken the country’s scientific and cultural foundations.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, said the attacks were not connected to nuclear concerns but were instead aimed at undermining Iran’s intellectual and cultural strength.
In a post on X, Baqaei stated, “Isfahan University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology in Tehran are just two among many universities and research centres deliberately attacked by the aggressors during the past 30 days of their illegal war on the Iranian nation.”
Isfahan University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology in Tehran are just two among many universities and research centers deliberately attacked by the aggressors during the past 30 days of their illegal war on the Iranian nation.In fact, the…
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) March 28, 2026
He further claimed that the United States and Israel were attempting to damage Iran’s scientific and cultural infrastructure, targeting universities, research centres, historical monuments, and prominent scientists. He added, “Countering Iran`s ‘nuclear program’ and ‘imminent threat’ were nothing but vicious pretexts — mere fabrications designed to conceal their real intention.”
IRGC issues strong warning
Following these accusations, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning to institutions linked to the US and Israel in the West Asian region. According to a statement broadcast on Telegram by the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC described universities affiliated with the United States and Israel as “legitimate targets” if retaliation becomes necessary.
The statement read, “The American-Zionist aggressor forces have targeted Iranian universities for the umpteenth time by bombing the Tehran University of Science and Technology,” as reported by IANS. It warned that attacks on Iranian universities could be met with similar strikes on Western-linked institutions in the region.
The IRGC also cautioned individuals near such campuses to stay at least one kilometre away to protect their safety. The statement said, “The reckless rulers of the White House should know that all the universities of the occupying regime and American universities in the West Asian region are our legitimate targets, so the destruction of two universities in retaliation for the destroyed Iranian universities. We advise all staff, faculty, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas to stay within a one-kilometre radius of the aforementioned universities to protect their lives,” as per IANS.
Rising tensions over academic targets
This latest development comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and Western nations, with universities and research centres increasingly cited as strategic targets. Tehran views these attacks as a deliberate attempt to harm its intellectual capital, while the IRGC’s warnings indicate the possibility of retaliatory measures that could escalate regional instability.
Analysts note that targeting educational and research institutions is unusual in conventional conflicts and signals a shift toward more symbolic and psychological warfare. As of now, both the United States and Israel have not publicly responded to Iran’s allegations. The coming days are likely to see close monitoring of developments in West Asia, especially near American and Israeli-linked institutions.
(With IANS Inputs)
