Press Statement 9: Condemning the Systematic Attacks on Iranian Academic and Scientific Institutions

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

In recent days, Iran’s academic and scientific institutions have been subjected to deliberate and systematic attacks—acts that constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law, international humanitarian law, and the universal sanctity of knowledge. These strikes, which have left campuses in ruin and classrooms shattered, not only jeopardize the lives of students, professors, and researchers but also threaten the free flow of research, innovation and the advancement of knowledge.

Iran University of Science and Technology—the very institution that pioneered the development of the Omid and Zafar-2 satellites—stands as a proud symbol of homegrown technological achievement. The targeting of such a center, following the recent cowardly assassination of one of its distinguished professors, reveals a clear and disturbing pattern.

From economic sanctions and targeted killings to the direct bombing of research centers, there is an evident strategy of "de-development" and de-industrialization. This is a calculated attempt to dismantle the nation’s indigenous growth, its industrial base, and its sovereign capacity to stand on its own.

Universities and research centers are the beating heart of progress in every society. Targeting them is, in essence, an attack on the future of nations and a desperate attempt to extinguish the light of science and reason. Such actions betray the strategic frustration of those who seek to undermine the resilience and determination of the Iranian people and their academic community. They must understand that science is indigenous to Iran; while buildings may be damaged, the spirit of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge cannot be destroyed by bombs.

Despite these pressures, Iran’s scientific and academic community will remain steadfast, committed to innovation, resistance, and the sustainable production of knowledge. This resolve serves as a definitive response to efforts aimed at silencing the voice of intellect and progress.

We call upon all global intellectuals, academics, and scholars to unite in condemning these attacks and to defend the sanctity of science, the autonomy of universities, and the safety of researchers. Silence in the face of such aggression is an abdication of our collective responsibility to the shared values of humanity.

Public Diplomacy of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran

in Hong Kong and Macao