File Photo: People walk past the main gate to the campus of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in the centre of Beirut. AFP
"Like many of you, we learned early this morning of threats issued against American universities in the region," AUB President Fadlo Khouri said in a statement.
"At this time, we have no evidence of direct threats against our university, its campuses, or medical centers. However, out of an abundance of caution, we will operate fully online on Monday and Tuesday, with the exception of essential personnel."
Classes and exams will be carried out remotely, Khouri added.
On Sunday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued a threat to retaliate against US universities in the Middle East, after stating that US-Israeli strikes had destroyed two universities in Iran: the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran and Isfahan University of Technology.
"If the US government wants its universities in the region to be free from retaliation... it must condemn the bombing of the universities in an official statement by 12 noon on Monday, March 30, Tehran time," the statement, published by Iranian media, said.
"We advise all employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas to stay a kilometer away from campuses," the statement added.
Several US universities have campuses across the Middle East, including Texas A&M University in Qatar and New York University in the United Arab Emirates.
In Lebanon, the American University of Beirut is one of the most prominent US institutions in the region. Its campus and hospital are located in the heart of Beirut.
Lebanon became further entangled in the broader Middle East conflict on March 2, when Israel intensified its strikes on the country, following 15 months of frequent ceasefire violations by Israel, which had already killed around 500 Lebanese since late 2024.
Tel Aviv's latest escalation in its long history of wars on Lebanon includes a ground invasion and calls from Israeli officials to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, evoking memories of Israel's occupation of the region from 1982 to 2000.
Since March 2, Israeli strikes have killed over 1,100 Lebanese and displaced more than 1 million people across the country.
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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