Escalating Tensions Grip Higher Education in the Middle East

The ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, which intensified in late February 2026, has now directly imperiled higher education institutions across the region. What began as targeted military actions has evolved into a dangerous escalation involving academic facilities, with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declaring US-affiliated universities as potential legitimate targets. This development has prompted swift closures and shifts to remote learning at several prominent campuses, disrupting thousands of students and faculty members while raising profound questions about the safety of international higher education outposts.

Background: From Military Strikes to Academic Frontlines

The conflict traces back to February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on key Iranian sites, sparking retaliatory missile exchanges and broader regional involvement. Recent US-Israeli airstrikes reportedly damaged buildings at two major Iranian universities: the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Tehran on Friday, March 27, and the Isfahan University of Technology on Wednesday, March 25. Iranian state media confirmed structural damage but no casualties, framing these as deliberate attacks on civilian educational infrastructure.

In response, the IRGC issued a stark statement on Sunday, March 29, via social media, warning that 'all universities of the occupying regime [Israel] and American universities in the West Asia region are legitimate targets for us until two universities are struck in retaliation.' The group set a deadline of 12:00 pm Iran Standard Time on Monday, March 30, demanding an official US condemnation to spare regional campuses, and urged staff, students, and nearby residents to evacuate at least one kilometer from sites.

IRGC Threats Target US Branch Campuses Specifically

The IRGC's rhetoric explicitly singles out American-linked institutions, broadening the conflict's scope to include higher education. Potential targets encompass over a dozen US university branches in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Jordan, and beyond. This marks a shift from purely military objectives, with analysts noting universities' symbolic value as extensions of US soft power in the Gulf.

The US Embassy in Baghdad echoed these concerns in an alert, warning of possible Iranian or militia strikes on American universities in Iraqi cities like Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk, advising US citizens to depart Iraq immediately.

Qatar's Education City Leads Closures

Qatar's Education City, home to six US partner universities under the Qatar Foundation, has become ground zero for disruptions. Institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar suspended in-person classes from March 29, transitioning to fully remote operations.

Francisco Marmolejo, president of higher education at Qatar Foundation, emphasized coordinated contingency plans: 'We are working closely with national stakeholders and our Partner Universities to ensure the safety of everyone in Education City.' Students can access support services remotely, with assurances that learning outcomes will be met despite the upheaval.

UAE Campuses Shut Down Indefinitely

In the UAE, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) closed its campus indefinitely following the threats, denying access to faculty, staff, and students. On-campus residents were relocated during spring break, with classes continuing online. Provost Arlie Petters and other administrators cited 'an abundance of caution' in a community email.

Other UAE sites like Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai and American University of Sharjah have heightened security and moved to hybrid or remote models, affecting hundreds of students enrolled in degrees mirroring US programs.

Photo by Tianlei Wu on Unsplash

Lebanon and Jordan Institutions Go Remote

The American University of Beirut (AUB), a century-old US-style institution with over 9,000 students, halted on-campus activities on March 30 and 31, conducting classes and exams remotely except for essential personnel. President Fadlo R. Khuri stated, 'Our highest priority has always been the safety of our community,' noting no direct threats but proactive measures.

In Jordan, the American University of Madaba suspended in-person teaching until April 2, impacting its 3,000 students. These closures reflect a regional pattern ordered by governments in Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain amid Iranian drone and missile strikes on Gulf hosts of US bases.

Student and Faculty Impacts: Anxiety and Adaptation

Thousands of students—many international from Asia, Europe, and the US—face disrupted semesters, with routines upended by constant emergency alerts and uncertainty. A Georgetown Qatar student shared, 'There's always uncertainty about when the next strikes might happen.' Universities offer pass/fail grading options and psychological support to mitigate stress.

Faculty report challenges in delivering hands-on courses like labs and studios remotely, while research collaborations stall due to travel bans and airspace closures. International students, particularly from Iran, struggle with visa delays and blackouts hindering applications elsewhere. Times Higher Education highlights how Iranian applicants risk missing global deadlines.

Study Abroad Programs Canceled or Relocated

US domestic universities have axed or altered Middle East study abroad amid State Department Level 3 advisories for Jordan and others. Rice University canceled its summer Amman program; Northeastern rerouted from Egypt and UAE to safer sites; Middlebury relocated Jordan students to Morocco.

• Rice Global: Evacuation advisories signal non-viability.
• Harvard: Pakistan trip halted by flights.
• NYU: Tel Aviv site closed, students moved.

Over 3,000 American students studied in Arab countries pre-conflict, per recent data, with programs now pivoting to Europe or virtual exchanges.

Research and Long-Term Implications for Global Higher Ed

Beyond teaching, the conflict threatens collaborative research in fields like energy, AI, and medicine at Gulf campuses, which host cutting-edge labs funded by billions in Qatari and Emirati investments. Disruptions could delay breakthroughs and strain partnerships.

Broader effects include SAT test center closures, with College Board offering refunds, and stranded faculty unable to return home due to emptied airspace. Inside Higher Ed details how these closures echo past regional crises but at unprecedented scale.

Safety Protocols and Constructive Solutions

Universities have activated emergency plans: enhanced security, remote tech upgrades, and mental health hotlines. Experts recommend diversified campus footprints, cyber alternatives for labs, and diplomatic advocacy for academic neutrality.

• Invest in resilient online platforms (e.g., VR simulations for STEM).
• Expand scholarships for relocation to stable regions.
• Foster neutral zones via UNESCO protections for education.

Long-term, Gulf hosts may accelerate local university autonomy to reduce foreign vulnerabilities.

Photo by Javad Esmaeili on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Resilience Amid Uncertainty

As the deadline passed without reported strikes, cautious reopenings loom, but sustained tensions could prolong remote learning into summer. Institutions like Qatar Foundation affirm resilience: 'Learning outcomes will be met.' For global higher ed, this underscores risks of geopolitical exposure, urging diversified international strategies and contingency funding. Stakeholders eye de-escalation talks, hoping to safeguard education's role in regional progress.