The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it will target American and Israeli universities in the Middle East as a response to a reported attack on the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran, the semi-official news outlet Tasnim News Agency reported on Saturday.
The statement shared by Tasnim stated that "the United States should be aware that all Israeli and American universities located in the West Asia region would become legitimate targets until two universities are struck in retaliation for the destroyed Iranian universities."
The IRGC threatened staff, students, and civilians living near universities to maintain a distance of 1 kilometer from the sites to "preserve their lives."
As an ultimatum to the US government, the IRGC said that the American officials have until Monday to issue an official statement "condemning the bombing of universities."
In addition, the terrorist organization threatened the US against retaliation, stating that if US President Donald Trump wanted to avoid the attack, the US "must stop its allied forces from attacking universities and research centers; otherwise, the threat remains valid and will be carried out."
Iranian security forces accused of using civilians as cover
While the IRGC claims the strike against the university in Tehran was unjustified, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday that Iranian security forces have adopted several methods to avoid Israeli and American strikes, with a common denominator: operating in close proximity to civilians.
According to two Iranian civilians who talked with The Post, security forces have begun assembling in locations such as schools and universities in an apparent effort to deter attacks.
In addition, members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other security forces are reportedly meeting inside hospitals.
“Sections of civilian hospitals are being cleared for them, where they gather and stay,” one of the citizens said.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.