Targeted Assaults on Iran's Scientific Capacities: A Legacy for Global Science

Akbariqomi, Mostafa; Abolghasemi, Hassan; Farnoosh, Gholamreza

doi:10.30491/tm.2025.546726.1877

Targeted Assaults on Iran's Scientific Capacities: A Legacy for Global Science

Document Type : Letter

Authors

Mostafa Akbariqomi ¹

Hassan Abolghasemi ²

Gholamreza Farnoosh ³

¹ Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

³ Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.30491/tm.2025.546726.1877

Abstract

The recent attacks by Israel on Iran's scientific infrastructure and capacities do not remain confined to a military conflict and geopolitical crisis; rather, they have far-reaching implications for scientific justice, research ethics, and the future of global science (1). Such events demonstrate that science, contrary to claims of universality, can become a realm of discrimination and monopoly. What we are witnessing today is a direct manifestation of scientific apartheid, which begins with targeted attacks on scientists and scientific infrastructure, leading to the paralysis of the scientific cycle of the targeted nation, while imposing a tethered technological servitude. These attacks are not merely aimed at halting technological advancement; rather, they seek to establish a discriminatory system in global science where only certain countries have the right to independent scientific development, while others must remain on the sidelines.

Keywords

Scientific Capacities

Global Science

Scientific Apartheid

Scientific Terrorism

Iran

Subjects