In a statement posted by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting early Sunday, IRGC warned that U.S. universities in the region would be targeted, after U.S.-Israeli attacks targeted Iran University of Science and Technology and Isfahan University of Technology, advising distance from universities.
Several United States universities in Qatar continued remote learning on Sunday, March 29, with closing campus access amid heightened tensions.
The move followed threats by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to target U.S. universities in the region, after it said U.S.-Israeli strikes had destroyed two universities in Iran.
Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), which had transitioned to remote learning earlier this month after Iran’s strikes on Qatar, said in a statement: “In light of recent developments and as a precautionary measure, we will temporarily close access to the NU-Q building until further notice. All teaching, learning, and administrative operations will continue remotely as communicated earlier.”
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, announced on its website that, “amid the ongoing regional situation, the university has moved to remote operations, and its premises are closed to the public”.
It added that information on scheduled activities will be communicated directly to individuals.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar said in its latest website update on March 25 that all classes were expected to resume online on Sunday, March 29.
“We are preparing to reopen the building next week, once we finalise safety procedures for security alerts,” the statement said. No further updates on changes were provided as of Sunday.
Qatar’s Georgetown University had earlier said it intended to operate remotely during the week of March 29, with an optional hybrid arrangement for those currently in Doha.
However, it later said overnight developments had compelled it to change course for the time being.
“Out of an abundance of caution as we further assess the situation, we will revert to remote-only instruction for today, Sunday, March 29. The GU-Q building will be closed,” the university said in a statement.
Texas A&M University announced on its website on March 26 that teaching, learning, and campus operations will continue online at least through the end of the spring semester.
The university advised students and staff to follow the latest guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Qatar.
Arkansas State University Qatar and Weill Cornell Medicine University Qatar had not issued any announcements on the matter as of Sunday noon.
The IRGC, in their statement issued on early Sunday, described Israeli and United States universities in the region as “legitimate targets”, saying that both the U.S. and Israel had deliberately targeted the Iran University of Science and Technology and the Isfahan University of Technology.
“The incompetent rulers of the White House should know that from now on, all universities of the occupying regime and American universities in the West Asia region will be considered legitimate targets for us, until two universities are struck in retaliation for the Iranian universities that have been destroyed,” the statement said.
“We advise all staff, professors, students of American universities in the region, and residents in their surrounding areas, to keep a distance of at least one kilometer from these universities to ensure their safety,” the IRGC warned.
Several U.S. institutions operate branch campuses in the Gulf, including in Qatar, such as Carnegie Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Northwestern University, Georgetown University, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, Weill Cornell Medicine University and Arkansas State University.
Iran has repeatedly targeted Qatar since February 28, saying it was striking the U.S.-linked installations in retaliation for escalating U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. Doha rejected the claims, stressing that civilian infrastructure had also been targeted.
In its latest warning, the IRGC said U.S. universities in the region could be targeted unless Washington issues an official condemnation of the bombings by noon on Monday, March 30.
“If the U.S. government wishes that its universities in the region not be targeted beyond the two retaliatory strikes at this stage, it must, no later than 12:00 noon on Monday, March 25 (Tehran time), officially condemn the bombing of universities,” said IRGC.
