Columbia Student Group's Anti-American Post Coincides with US-Israel Iran Strikes
On Saturday, as the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military assault against Iran, a pro-Palestine student organization at Columbia University sparked outrage by posting a shocking anti-American message on social media. Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) wrote in Persian: 'Marg bar Amrika,' which translates to 'Death to America.'
Post Deleted but Sentiment Stands
The controversial post was swiftly removed from the X platform, but CUAD followed up with another statement, asserting that X had forced the deletion to regain account access, while emphasizing that 'the sentiment still stands.' This venomous commentary emerged in the wake of the joint US-Israel bombing campaign, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury' by the US and 'Lion's Roar' by Israel.
The attacks targeted Iran's military infrastructure, air defenses, and leadership, culminating in the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after a strike on his compound. Iranian state media verified his demise on Saturday evening, following earlier announcements from the US and Israel.
CUAD's Role in Campus Protests
CUAD has been a central force in organizing pro-Palestine, anti-Israel demonstrations and encampments at Columbia University, beginning in 2023 and spreading to campuses nationwide. The group staunchly labels the Israel-Gaza war as genocide against Palestinians and accuses Columbia of supporting genocide through investments in Israeli companies.
In its X bio, CUAD declares itself 'Proudly unrecognized by C*lumbia University,' and after the anti-American post, it reiterated having 'no affiliation to or ties with the fascist state functionary known as Columbia University,' operating independently without official recognition.
Trump Administration Clashes and ICE Arrests
The Trump administration has repeatedly admonished Columbia University for the CUAD-led protests, accusing the institution of fostering anti-Semitism. In response, Trump stripped $400 million in federal grants from Columbia, leading the university to settle a lawsuit by paying $200 million to regain access to federal funds.
Tensions have escalated with several Columbia students targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for arrest and deportation. High-profile cases include Mahmoud Khalil, accused of leading CUAD—a claim his lawyers deny, stating he served as a negotiator. Khalil was arrested by ICE on March 8 but released on bail in June after the ACLU challenged his detention on First Amendment grounds.
More recently, Elaina Aghayeva was detained by ICE agents in a student residential building on Thursday morning. According to Columbia's Acting President Claire Shipman, agents misrepresented themselves as searching for a 'missing person' to gain entry. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, meeting with Trump that day, requested Aghayeva's release, with the president agreeing she would be freed imminently.
Details of the US-Israel Iran Strikes
The joint military operation struck multiple locations in Iran, including the holy city of Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Tabriz, and Isfahan, home to a major nuclear facility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video that Israel was targeting military sites and would continue attacks 'as long as necessary.'
By Sunday morning, the US military confirmed three American servicemembers killed and five wounded. Alongside Khamenei, approximately 40 other regime officials perished. The strike leveraged months of CIA intelligence gathering on a meeting of top Iranian officials in Tehran.
Iran's Retaliation and Civilian Casualties
Iran swiftly retaliated, firing missiles at US bases across the Middle East—in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, and Jordan—and at Israel, where the death toll near Jerusalem rose to at least eight by Sunday morning.
Iranian state media reported that an all-girls elementary school in southern Iran was destroyed, claiming 148 students aged seven to twelve killed and 95 wounded. The school was reportedly adjacent to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps barracks. While sources caution skepticism over regime casualty figures amid propaganda efforts, verified videos and images from outlets like the Guardian and BBC show the decimated building with rescuers digging through rubble amid screams.
Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, addressed the reports, stating, 'We take these reports seriously. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm.'
