US-Israel-Iran war: All Israeli, US universities legitimate target, warns Iran after campus strike
US-Israel-Iran war: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that universities linked to Israel and the United States in West Asia could be considered “legitimate targets” in response to recent attacks on an Iranian university. According to reports, the IRGC accused “American-Zionist forces” of bombing Tehran University of Science and Technology.
The IRGC said such institutions in the region would remain under threat until at least two similar universities were targeted in retaliation. It also warned teachers, students and nearby residents to stay at least one kilometre away from these campuses for safety, as reported by Press TV.
The group also set conditions to avoid retaliation, saying the US must issue an official statement by noon (Tehran time) on March 30 condemning the attacks on Iranian universities.
This warning comes after a reported strike on the Tehran-based university that damaged parts of its research facilities. Earlier, Isfahan University of Technology was also hit, with at least one building damaged.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that Israeli strikes have targeted key infrastructure such as steel plants, a power facility and civilian nuclear sites. He said these actions go against ongoing diplomatic efforts and warned that Iran would impose a “heavy price” in response.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the attacks on the two universities are part of a larger pattern over the past month. He alleged that universities, research centres, heritage sites and scientists have been deliberately targeted in what he called an “illegal war” aimed at weakening Iran’s scientific and cultural base.
Baqaei also claimed that concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme are being used as an excuse to justify the strikes, calling them fabricated reasons to hide the real intent.
- With inputs from agencies
