Iran

Tehran strikes hit Sharif University

Q: What has been the international reaction?

Iranian officials condemned the attack. Daily Nous cited New York Times reporting that intentional attacks on educational institutions could be a war crime under international law.

Smoke rising over a Middle Eastern city at dawn with university buildings visible through haze

Coalition air strikes hit Tehran on April 6, 2026, with the Sharif University of Technology among the sites affected. Photo: Editorial.

By Bushletter Newsroom · 8 April 2026

TLDR

US and Israeli coalition air strikes hit Sharif University of Technology in Tehran on April 6, 2026, damaging its data centre, laboratories and mosque. More than 34 people were reported killed in strikes across Iran from Sunday to Monday.

Air strikes hit Sharif University of Technology in Tehran early on Monday 6 April, damaging the university's data centre, laboratories and mosque, The New Arab reported. No casualties were reported from the university strike itself.

‘A symbol of Trump's madness’

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref called the attack a new "symbol of Trump's madness and ignorance". "No barbarity in history has ever been able to strip science from the Iranian people. Science is rooted in our souls, and this fortress will not crumble," Aref said, according to Al Jazeera.

The human cost of a single day

More than 34 people were killed in US-Israeli strikes across Iran from Sunday to Monday, according to reports cited by The New Arab and Daily Nous. It is unclear how many, if any, were killed at the university.

A beacon of knowledge extinguished

Sharif University of Technology, founded in 1966, has long been considered the undisputed premier technical institution in Iran and one of the best in the Middle East. It is often called the "MIT of Iran" by international observers and academics for its rigorous curriculum and the high calibre of its graduates. It enrols over 12,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

‘An attack on the pursuit of knowledge itself’

The philosophy blog Daily Nous noted that Sharif housed a Department of Philosophy of Science and was the alma mater of Fields Medal winner Maryam Mirzakhani.

Iran's Ministry of Science says at least 30 universities have been hit since the war began on February 28.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Sharif University of Technology in Tehran was bombed on April 6, 2026.

02More than 34 people were reported killed in strikes across Iran from Sunday to Monday.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Sharif University of Technology?

Often called the 'MIT of Iran,' it is Iran's most prestigious university for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Founded in 1966, it has produced many of the country's top scientists and engineers.

Why was the university targeted?

Iranian officials accuse the US and Israel of deliberately targeting the nation's intellectual and scientific future. A US Central Command spokesperson stated that coalition forces strike 'legitimate military targets' but did not comment specifically on the university.

What has been the international reaction?

Academic institutions, scholars, and student unions around the world have condemned the attack. Many have released statements calling for the protection of educational institutions during conflict and expressing solidarity with the students and staff of Sharif University.

Is Sharif University still operating after the strikes?

Iranian officials have not confirmed the full operational status of Sharif University following the April 7 strikes. International academic bodies have called for an assessment and for the protection of staff and students. No official casualty figures have been released.