PTP President: IIID’s Global Science and Technology Engagement Remains Open Despite Sanctions

On December 24, 2025, Mehdi Saffari-Nia, President of Pardis Technology Park (PTP), said that science and technology are less affected by political challenges, emphasizing that international scientific and technological collaboration through the Iran international innovation district (IIID) remains active and viable.

Saffari-Nia noted that although international political conditions pose challenges, the science and technology sector continues to demonstrate resilience and openness to global engagement. He stressed that recent experiences confirm the sustained capacity for international cooperation in research and innovation.

He referred to the government-approved plan to establish the Iran international innovation district (IIID), which includes major initiatives such as TechOlympics, the Iran International Innovation & Technology Exhibition (INOTEX), and the launch of the national technology trading platform.

Explaining the approval process, Saffari-Nia said the plan was initially endorsed under the previous administration and later reviewed, amended, and finalized during the current administration, incorporating feedback from the parliament.

According to the outlined targets, IIID is expected to host more than 2,500 technology cores and companies and directly support around 50,000 knowledge-based professionals. Additional goals include attracting at least 50 foreign companies, welcoming international universities, and leveraging Iranian experts abroad as an effective bridge for global collaboration—areas in which preliminary agreements have already been reached.

Saffari-Nia also pointed to the recent Mustafa Prize (PBUH) ceremony, held with the participation of over 100 international guests from more than 30 countries, as evidence that science diplomacy remains active, influential, and in high demand globally.