AUB Shifts to Online Learning Amid Iranian Threats

On March 30 and 31, 2023, the American University of Beirut (AUB) will operate remotely following threats issued by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard against U.S. universities in the Middle East. AUB President Fadlo Khouri stated that while there is no direct threat to the university's campus, the decision was made as a precautionary measure.

Classes and exams will be conducted online, with only essential personnel remaining on campus. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard had threatened to target U.S. universities in the region, coinciding with heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes that reportedly destroyed two Iranian universities.

The U.S. government has expressed a desire for universities in the region to remain free from retaliation. AUB is a prominent U.S. institution located in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon, and is closely monitored due to its strategic location amidst ongoing regional conflicts.