US campuses in Middle East temporarily close after Iran issues threats

At least two U.S. university campuses in the Middle East are tightening security measures this week following reports that Iran is threatening to strike American-run colleges in the region.

Multiple media outlets reported on Sunday, March 29, that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would target U.S. universities in the Middle East, prompting two American schools in Lebanon and Qatar to close.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad confirmed the threats in an alert posted to social media on March 29, warning that Iran “may intend to target” American universities in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk.

“Iran has specifically directed threats toward American universities across various parts of the Middle East,” the statement from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad cautioned.

The two universities that have shut their doors aren't closing permanently. American University of Beirut announced its campus in Lebanon's capital will be closed March 30-31, and Georgetown University said early March 30 that its campus building in Qatar is closed until further notice. Both schools said they will continue to operate online.

Fadlo R. Khuri, president of the American University in Beirut, said the school has no evidence of direct threats made against the university, its campuses or medical centers, but is closing the campus “out of an abundance of caution.”

Iran’s threats are reportedly retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, which Iran claims hit two of its universities over the weekend, according to the Wall Street Journal.