Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning that universities linked to the United States and Israel in the West Asia region could now be considered “legitimate targets,” in what it described as retaliation for repeated attacks on Iranian academic institutions.
The warning was contained in a statement released on Sunday and carried by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, marking a significant escalation in rhetoric as the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel deepens.
According to the IRGC, recent military strikes by US and Israeli forces have targeted multiple educational facilities in Iran, including the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran and the Isfahan University of Technology. The corps accused both countries of deliberately bombing academic institutions, describing the attacks as part of a broader campaign against Iran’s infrastructure.
“From now on, all universities of the occupying entity (Israel) and American universities in West Asia will be considered legitimate targets,” the statement read, signaling a potential expansion of targets beyond traditional military or strategic sites.
The IRGC further issued a public warning to staff, students, and residents in proximity to such institutions, advising them to maintain a distance of at least one kilometer from facilities associated with the United States or Israel for their safety. The directive has raised serious concerns among observers about the potential risks to civilians and academic communities across the region.
The development follows an earlier demand by the IRGC on Wednesday, calling on Washington to formally condemn attacks on Iranian universities or face retaliatory measures. The latest statement suggests that Iran’s elite military force is prepared to broaden its response if such actions continue.
Iranian media outlets have reported multiple airstrikes on educational facilities in recent weeks, though independent verification of the extent and impact of these incidents remains limited. The reported targeting of universities has added a new dimension to the conflict, which has increasingly affected civilian and non-military infrastructure.
The United States and Israel have sustained a campaign of airstrikes on Iranian territory since February 28, in what they describe as efforts to counter security threats. According to available figures, the strikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,340 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, significantly intensifying tensions across the region.
In response, Iran has launched a series of retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting Israeli territory, as well as US military installations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting American forces. These strikes have caused casualties, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted key sectors such as aviation and global energy markets.
Analysts warn that the IRGC’s latest statement could further escalate the conflict by potentially expanding the scope of targets to include civilian-linked institutions. Universities, traditionally considered protected spaces under international norms, are now being drawn into the broader confrontation, raising alarms about the safety of students, faculty, and surrounding communities.
The warning also underscores the deepening hostility between Iran and its adversaries, as well as the challenges facing efforts to de-escalate the crisis. With both sides continuing to exchange military strikes and increasingly forceful rhetoric, prospects for a diplomatic resolution appear uncertain.
International observers have called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law, emphasizing the need to protect civilian infrastructure and prevent further escalation. However, the evolving dynamics of the conflict suggest a widening battlefield that could have far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.
As tensions continue to rise, the inclusion of educational institutions in the conflict narrative marks a troubling development, with potential implications for regional stability, civilian safety, and the global perception of the crisis.
