Tehran: Iranian universities and academic centers have denounced the ‘assassination of knowledge and thought,’ following the Israeli assassination of Professor Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi, president of the Islamic Azad University.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in a joint statement released on Sunday, the academic institutions called on ‘the awakened conscience of the world’ to join a global campaign titled Protect Scientists. The statement expressed mourning over an ‘unprecedented tragedy,’ accusing the Zionist regime of engaging in state terrorism that targets not just infrastructure and military figures but also ‘thought’ and ‘the management of science.’

The universities emphasized that the killing of Tehranchi, referred to as a ‘martyr scientist,’ represents ‘a rare crime in contemporary history and a direct declaration of war against the sacred sanctuary of the university.’ They asserted that his efforts in turning the university into a hub for ‘innovation, skill-building, and solving human problems’ were seen as a threat by opponents of freedom and progress.

The statement criticized international organizations, including UNESCO, for their ‘deadly silence’ and complicity through inaction. It declared that remaining silent in the face of such actions is a betrayal of science and human dignity. The universities called upon academics, students, and institutions worldwide to condemn the attack and participate in the campaign.

By targeting scientists, the statement concluded, the adversaries of humanity will not succeed in halting the advancement of science.