TEHRAN, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned Sunday that it now considers all Israeli and U.S. universities in West Asia "legitimate targets," following attacks on Iranian universities.
The IRGC issued the warning on its official news outlet Sepah News, responding to the attacks on the University of Science and Technology in Tehran on Saturday and on the Isfahan University of Technology in central city of Isfahan on Thursday.
It said all Israeli and U.S. universities will remain legitimate targets until Iran strikes two of them in retaliation.
The IRGC warned staff, students and residents near the universities to stay at least 1 km away to avoid being harmed.
It demanded Washington issue an official condemnation of the attacks on Iranian universities by 12:00 p.m. local time Monday (0830 GMT) if it wants its regional universities spared.
In a post on social media platform X on Saturday night, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the "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 American-Israeli aggression against Iran continues to reveal its true objective: to cripple our country's scientific foundation and cultural heritage by systematically targeting universities, research centers, historical monuments, and prominent scientists," he added.
The developments came amid a U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict starting from Feb. 28, with heavy fighting continuing between the relevant parties and no breakthrough on a ceasefire as it entered its 30th day on Sunday. ■
