US and Israeli Strikes on Iran Disrupt Education in the Region
Following the military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, rising tensions across the Middle East have led to the temporary closure of universities in several countries and significant disruptions to educational activities. Many universities in Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, and Iraq have been temporarily closed, while some institutions have shifted their education to online platforms.
The closure of regional airspace and widespread flight cancellations have also severely affected the mobility of international students and academic staff. Reports indicate that a group of students from Queen’s University in Canada became stranded at an airport in Doha, Qatar, while around 150 Indian students were left waiting in Dubai. Several students from Michigan State University in the United States were also unable to reach Dubai for a planned educational trip and reportedly remained in Europe.
According to experts, the growing regional crisis following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran may also affect the long-standing image of Gulf countries as “safe education hubs.” Security is often considered the most important factor for international students when choosing a study destination. For this reason, analysts emphasize that universities in the region may need to strengthen crisis management systems and student safety mechanisms in order to maintain trust and stability in the higher education sector.