The American University of Beirut moves to remote learning for two days following threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards against US institutions in the region.
BEIRUT: The American University of Beirut announced a shift to fully remote operations for Monday and Tuesday following threats issued against American universities in the region by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
University President Fadlo Khuri stated the decision was made out of an abundance of caution despite having no evidence of direct threats against AUB’s campuses or medical centres.
All classes and exams will be conducted remotely during this period, with only essential personnel required to be on site.
The Iranian threat, published by Iranian media, warned it would target US universities in the Middle East unless the US government officially condemned the bombing of two Iranian universities by 12 noon Tehran time on Monday.
The statement from the Revolutionary Guards advised all employees, professors, students, and residents near American university campuses in the region to stay one kilometre away from the sites.
Several US universities operate campuses across the Middle East, including Texas A&M University in Qatar and New York University in the United Arab Emirates.
The American University of Beirut and its hospital are located in the heart of Lebanon’s capital, standing as one of the most prominent US institutions in the region.
Lebanon was drawn into the wider regional conflict earlier this month after the Iran-backed Hezbollah group fired rockets at Israel.
