Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud stated during a panel discussion that he believes Iran may have encouraged the recent pro-Palestine protests on US campuses, suggesting that few actual students were involved. Other university leaders, including those from Vanderbilt and Washington, echoed concerns about outside influence and organized networks behind the demonstrations. At Syracuse, students staged a 16-day encampment protesting the war in Gaza, which eventually ended voluntarily. The chancellors highlighted difficulties in identifying participants due to face coverings and noted that many protesters were not affiliated with their institutions. There is currently no confirmation of foreign involvement in the protests.