GFEAI 2026: science minister warns AI potential to become an invisible dictatorship

TEHRAN – Science, Research and Technology Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf has warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in data analysis could pave the way for a shift from data control to human control, potentially giving rise to what he described as “an invisible dictatorship.”

RoboCup IranOpen competition 2026 underway

TEHRAN – Tehran is playing host to the 20th edition of the RoboCup IranOpen competition, which started on Wednesday and will wrap up on Friday.

By Mehdi Soltani

Deputy youth minister remembers Minab schoolchildren at IYF in Russia

YEKATERINBURG, Russia – Alireza Rahimi, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth, began his address at a meeting of youth ministers from countries participating in the International Youth Festival (IYF) in Yekaterinburg by remembering Iranian schoolchildren killed in recent attacks.

Iran shakes with 94 earthquakes in a week

TEHRAN – A total of 94 earthquakes have been recorded across the country in a week from September 5 to 11, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

Over half of eligible Iranians join Jan Fada campaign

TEHRAN – The “Jan Fada” (self-sacrificing volunteer) campaign officially launched on March 29 as a spontaneous public movement in response to persistent threats and aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

DOE calls for stronger global action to protect ozone layer, tackle climate change

TEHRAN – Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, has called for stronger international cooperation to address the harmful effects of ozone-layer depletion and climate change, saying that global participation, strong commitment to obligations, and dedicated financial resources can produce real, tangible, measurable, and monitorable results.

Pezeshkian pushes for drafting Iran-China action plan to combat desertification

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian has highlighted the need to draft a five-year Iranian-Chinese action plan to manage airborne dust and combat desertification in line with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two countries.

Tehran to foster educational interactions with Ankara

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation led by the deputy minister of education for international affairs and schools abroad has visited Turkey to expand educational cooperation between the two countries and address the challenges Iranian students face in Turkey.

Economic, social support for women-headed families to be strengthened

TEHRAN – There are currently around 26 million households in the country, more than 20 million of them in urban areas and approximately six million in rural areas. According to the latest statistics, women head more than 12 percent of these households. Plans are underway to boost support for women-headed households.

Iran censures US deliberate destruction of development at Human Rights Council

TEHRAN –The Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO has elaborated on the deliberate destruction of development by the US through adopting coercive sanctions and launching military aggressions against the country.

Biosphere reserve management regulations under final review

TEHRAN - The judicial and legal committee of the cabinet of ministers is conducting a final review of the executive regulations for biosphere reserves, which will establish the framework for managing the country’s biosphere reserves.

Iranian woman shines at BRICS Startup Contest 2026

TEHRAN – Iranian female entrepreneur Azam Karami has secured first place in the Energy, Infrastructure and Mobility category of the BRICS Women’s Startup Contest 2026.

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Allameh Tabataba'i University Opens International Admissions for English-Taught Master’s Programs

Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU), Iran’s leading specialized public university in the humanities and social sciences, has launched international admissions for its English-taught Master of Arts and Master of Science programs for the first semester of the 2026–2027 academic year.

Knowledge-based companies to expand role in advanced materials sector

TEHRAN – Building links between small knowledge-based companies and major industries is a key strategy for reforming the technology structure, expanding markets, and achieving sustainable growth, an official with the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy has said.

Iranian universities, Malaysia’s UKM discuss joint high-tech research projects

TEHRAN – Iran’s top universities are ready to launch joint technology projects with Malaysia’s National University (UKM) in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy, Iran’s scientific attaché to East Asia said during a visit to the Malaysian university.

Iran to chair Tehran Convention, lead Caspian Sea environmental protection efforts

TEHRAN – Iran will host the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention on the protection of the Caspian Sea environment from September 20 to October 1, following a three-year hiatus, and will assume the convention’s rotating presidency at the conclusion of the meeting.

Where farmlands bloom in gold

Sunflower fields in Isfahan have created a spectacular golden landscape across the region’s farmlands as the flowers bloom.

Webinar on fertility preservation for people over 30 set for October

TEHRAN – Royan Institute will host a specialized webinar on October 1 to help individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health, focusing on fertility preservation options and strategies for single women and men over 30.

National document on Persian medicine governance being developed

TEHRAN - The first expert meeting to develop the National Governance Document for Iranian Traditional Medicine was held with the aim of reviewing the sector’s overarching policies, bringing together senior officials, leading academics, and representatives of executive bodies.

Forensic Medicine Organization seeks to enhance ties with ICRC

TEHRAN – Iran’s Forensic Medicine Organization has voiced its readiness to maintain and expand cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with a focus on strengthening joint efforts in scientific, educational, and operational fields, alongside the provision of equipment.

Severe weather triggers flooding, infrastructure damage in Mazandaran

Torrential rains and powerful storms that swept across parts of the northern province of Mazandaran from Tuesday, September 8, caused rivers to overflow, streets to flood, and trees to fall, damaging homes, public buildings, infrastructure, and agricultural land.

Elderly to account for 30% of Iran’s population by 2050

TEHRAN — With older adults already accounting for 13 percent of Iran’s population and the country’s fertility rate continuing to decline, demographic shifts are accelerating. Current projections indicate that within the next 25 years, nearly one-third of Iran’s population will be aged 60 and above.

ACECR official, Turkmen envoy explore avenues to beef up sci-tech co-op

TEHRAN – Iran’s Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) and Turkmenistan have agreed to explore avenues for expanding scientific cooperation, following a meeting between ACECR Deputy for Research and Technology, Zahra Sheikhi, and Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Ilyas Ghaypov.

International Day to Protect Education from Attack: Condemning US-Israeli aggression on Iran

TEHRAN - September 9, the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, is a reminder of one of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: schools, universities, teachers and students must be protected from the violence of war.

New WHO envoy meets foreign minister at start of mission

John Jabbour, the newly appointed representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Islamic Republic of Iran, met with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday at the start of his mission, presenting his credentials and formally beginning his diplomatic duties in Tehran.

Iran moves to accelerate UN Narcotic Drugs Commission membership

TEHRAN – Iranian officials have discussed ways to expedite the country’s membership in the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs and strengthen regional cooperation in this regard.

Qeshm, Taining Geoparks partner for natural heritage, sustainable development

TEHRAN - Iran’s Qeshm Island Geopark and China’s Taining Geopark have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help protect geological and natural heritage, while promoting sustainable development and supporting local communities.

GII 2026 places Tehran 65th among top 100 science and technology clusters

TEHRAN – The Global Innovation Index (GII) has ranked Tehran as the world’s 65th-largest science and technology (S&T) cluster this year, according to a report released by the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Some 75 foreign companies attending Pharmex intl. exhibition 2026

TEHRAN – A total of 547 knowledge-based firms, including 75 foreign companies, are participating in the 8th Pharmex international exhibition being held in Tehran from September 8 to 10.

World Alzheimer’s Month: early dementia diagnosis matters

TEHRAN – September, observed as World Alzheimer’s Month, provides an important opportunity to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, their various aspects, and the challenges they present.