American Universities in Middle East Face Threats Amid Iranian Retaliation
American universities in the Middle East are taking precautionary measures following threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. This development comes after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iranian universities, prompting Iran to declare American educational institutions in the region as 'legitimate targets.' In response, the American University of Beirut has restricted campus access to essential personnel only, while Education City in Doha, Qatar, which hosts campuses of Georgetown, Cornell, and Northwestern, has closed its premises. Similarly, New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus has also shut down temporarily. These institutions have shifted to remote or hybrid learning models to ensure the safety of students and staff. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has displaced over a million people in Lebanon, many of whom are seeking refuge near the American University of Beirut. 
