TEHRAN, IRAN — Newly released video footage obtained by regional outlets and social media monitors on Saturday, March 28, 2026, shows the extensive damage following a “new wave” of US-Israeli airstrikes on the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Amirkabir University in Tehran.
The footage, verified by the Middle East Eye and Anadolu Agency, provides the first visual evidence of the strikes that hit academic targets in the heart of the capital early this morning.
Visual Evidence: Smoke and Structural Collapse
The video segments, primarily filmed by residents and students, capture the chaos in the immediate aftermath of the explosions:
- The IUST Campus: Footage shows a plume of thick black smoke rising from the northeastern part of the city. Buildings housing engineering and research labs appear to have sustained direct hits, with glass and debris littering the surrounding streets.
- Amirkabir University: Social media clips geolocated to the central Tehran campus show students and local residents running for cover as secondary blasts are heard. One video shows a significant fire at one of the main technical buildings.
- Emergency Response: Despite the ongoing air alerts, Red Crescent vehicles can be seen navigating through rubble-strewn roads to reach the blast sites.
Casualty and Faculty Impacts
While a full official count is pending, the strikes have already claimed lives within the academic community:
- Faculty Loss: It was confirmed that Saeed Shemkadri, a prominent professor in IUST’s Electrical Engineering department, was killed earlier this week (March 23) in a targeted strike. His death has sparked a wave of mourning and protest among the student body.
- Initial Toll: The Iranian Red Crescent reported that overall strikes across the country today have contributed to a death toll exceeding 1,900 people since the start of the conflict.
A Strategic Expansion of “Operation Epic Fury”
Military analysts suggest the targeting of these specific universities is part of a broader coalition strategy to neutralize Iran’s technical elite:
- Dual-Use Research: Both IUST and Amirkabir are known for their high-level research in aerospace, materials science, and electronics—fields critical to Iran’s drone and missile programs.
- The “2,700-Mile” Context: Following President Trump’s admission that the U.S. was “unaware” of Iran’s new 2,700-mile missile reach, these strikes are seen as a preemptive move to disable the research infrastructure capable of refining long-range weaponry.
Diplomatic and Civil Unrest
The strikes on universities have reignited internal volatility within Iran:
- Student Protests: In the hours following the strikes, student groups at Sharif University and the University of Tehran have reportedly begun chanting anti-war and anti-government slogans, scuffling with security forces as they demand an end to the “senseless destruction.”
- Pakistani Mediation: Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar remains in urgent contact with Tehran, warning that the targeting of educational centers makes the acceptance of the 15-point U.S. ceasefire proposal significantly more difficult for the Iranian leadership.
| Target Site | Location | Verified Impact |
| IUST | Northeast Tehran | Structural collapse of engineering labs; smoke visible across city. |
| Amirkabir | Central Tehran | Fires reported in technical buildings; sirens active. |
| University of Science & Culture | Tehran | Reports of secondary damage from nearby strikes. |
