Bombs dropped by the United States and Israel on Iran have damaged some 30 universities since war began on 28 February, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. In an open letter to United Nations officials and the governments of parties to the conflict, more than 1,400 international scholars have signed a statement condemning the bombing of civilian academic, health and research infrastructure. Affected institutions include Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, the country's leading technology institution, and the Pasteur Institute of Iran, also in Tehran, established more than a century ago for research into drugs and vaccines. A White House spokesperson and a representative of Israel's military separately told Nature that they do not target civilian infrastructure, however, did not explain why these and other named institutions were bombed. Before the latest conflict, many students and academics were participating in protests for greater democracy, human rights and...
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