NEW DELHI — A group of 53 Indian physicists has issued a joint statement condemning reported attacks on universities in Iran and the Palestinian territories, describing them as “crimes against humanity” and calling for urgent global action.
The signatories, identified as senior members of the scientific community, expressed concern over damage to educational institutions and the risks posed to academic freedom in conflict-affected regions. They stressed that universities must be protected as centres of learning and research.
“Universities are spaces for knowledge and critical thinking. Targeting them harms not only present students but also future generations and scientific progress,” the statement said.
The appeal comes amid reports of damage to institutions in Iran and Palestinian areas. While details of individual incidents vary, the physicists pointed to a broader trend of academic institutions becoming increasingly vulnerable during conflicts.
Among the institutions cited were Sharif University of Technology and Shahid Beheshti University, where reports indicated that research facilities, including those linked to artificial intelligence and data systems, had been affected.
The physicists warned that destruction of such infrastructure could set back scientific work by years. “Damage to laboratories and research centres can disrupt innovation and limit opportunities for young scholars,” they said.
Serious concerns were also raised about the situation in the Palestinian territories, where academic infrastructure has reportedly suffered extensive damage, potentially restricting access to education and hindering intellectual and cultural development.
The group urged international organisations, including UNESCO, to take a clear and firm stand to protect universities, researchers and students in conflict zones.
They also noted that broader factors, including sanctions in certain regions, could further restrict access to global research and academic collaboration, adding strain on already affected institutions.
Calling for accountability, the physicists said those responsible for attacks on educational spaces must be held answerable under international law. They stressed that universities should never be treated as military targets.
The statement concluded with a message of solidarity with scholars and students in affected regions, underscoring the need to safeguard education and research even in times of conflict.
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Cover photo: Reuters’ photo shows People walk through the damaged gate of Al-Aqsa University in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, November 24, 2025.
