The Digester
war

Sharif University bombed; Iran says US and Israel targeted its AI development

Air strikes damaged multiple buildings and an AI centre at Tehran’s Sharif University, which officials say were targeted to halt Iran’s technological progress amid wider attacks on research and civilian infrastructure.

Apr 7th 2026 · Iran

Insights

  • Air strikes hit Sharif University, destroying and damaging multiple buildings including an AI centre and taking university online services offline.
  • University president Masoud Tajrishi said the strikes aimed to prevent Iran from developing AI models and services.
  • No casualties were reported at Sharif because classes were online, but Iranian authorities say more than 2,000 people have been killed in the war.
  • Similar attacks have struck other research centres, including the Pasteur Institute, a photonics lab at Shahid Beheshti University, and a satellite lab.
  • Iran says over 30 universities have been affected since February 28 and the IRGC has declared US and Israeli-affiliated universities legitimate targets.

Sources