Iranians mark Pharmaceutical Day to commemorate Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, whose groundbreaking work in evidence-based medicine, psychology, and chemistry left an indelible mark on medical science worldwide.

Centuries before the Renaissance, a compassionate physician in Persia championed evidence-based practice, discovered fundamental chemical compounds, and penned over 200 manuscripts that would shape Western medicine.

On Pharmaceutical Day, Iran and the scientific world remember the enduring legacy of Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi.

In Iran, August 27 is observed as Pharmaceutical Day in commemoration of Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, the 9th-century Persian polymath, known in the West as Rhazes.

A Persian Muslim polymath, physician, alchemist, and philosopher born near Tehran, Razi made enduring contributions to medicine, philosophy, and chemistry, authoring over 200 manuscripts.

He championed evidence-based medicine and is considered the father of psychology, psychotherapy, pediatrics, obstetrics, and ophthalmology.

Razi served as chief physician of Baghdad and Ray hospitals, renowned for his compassion and dedication to patients, and attracted students from diverse backgrounds.

He integrated Greek medical knowledge with his own observations, viewing himself as a modern Hippocrates.

Razi pioneered the differentiation of contagious diseases using humoral theory and wrote groundbreaking works on smallpox and measles. He also discovered compounds like alcohol and sulfuric acid.

His encyclopedia, “The Virtuous Life (al-Hawi),” and other works like “Kitab al-Mansuri” and “Al-Judari wal Hasabah” profoundly impacted Western medical education.

Razi’s detailed descriptions of chemical reactions and instruments are found in “Kitab-al-Asrar.” Although his philosophical writings were initially overlooked, his medical and scientific advancements significantly influenced the development of these fields.

About 40 of his manuscripts are preserved in libraries worldwide. Razi’s holistic approach to medicine, emphasizing both physical and psychological well-being, cemented his status as a visionary figure.

His emphasis on meticulous observation, experimentation, and clinical documentation laid the groundwork for future generations of physicians and scientists.

Beyond his direct medical contributions, Razi’s writings fostered intellectual exchange between Eastern and Western scholars, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge across cultures.

His legacy continues to inspire medical professionals and researchers to embrace innovation and prioritize patient care above all else.

The annual observance of Pharmaceutical Day in Iran serves as a reminder of Razi’s profound and lasting impact on the world of medicine and science.

Today, the legacy of Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi extends far beyond historical recognition.

It lives on in the very ethos of modern healthcare: in the relentless pursuit of evidence, the holistic care of the patient, and the courageous spirit of scientific inquiry.

As new generations of doctors, chemists, and researchers stand on the shoulders of this Persian giant, his story serves as a powerful testament to the universal and collaborative nature of knowledge.

The annual observance of Pharmaceutical Day is more than a tribute to a great mind of the past; it is a timeless reminder that innovation, compassion, and rigorous observation are the enduring pillars upon which human progress is built. /MNA/

Iran has made significant progress in nanotechnology over a year (August 2024 -August 2025), with more than a 100 percent increase in nanotech products exports, indexing 10,860 articles in the Web of Science (WoS), and being ranked sixth in publishing nanotech articles.

Iran’s activities in nanotechnology began in 2001. Two years later, the headquarters for nanotechnology was established to promote knowledge in the field. The first national strategic plan, titled ‘future strategic document’, was developed in 2005, aimed to place Iran among the top 15 countries in the field, focusing on ongoing improvement of the country’s position to generate wealth and improve people’s quality of life.

Later, the name of the organization changed to ‘nano and micro technology headquarters’ to follow up on its missions and tasks in both fields.

Over the past year, from August 22, 2024, to August 23, 2025, significant measures were taken to improve existing industries, expand and manage sustainable exports and nano-product markets at national, regional, and global levels, promote Iranian made products in regional markets, foster innovation from novel technologies with significant economic and social impacts, maintain the country’s scientific status and improve its authority in nanoscience.

Iran’s nanotechnology products in various industries are classified into 13 main categories including Civil engineering and construction; Optics, electronics, and photonics; Petroleum and petrochemicals; Pharmaceuticals, health, and well-being; home appliances; Power and energy; Raw materials; Chemicals; Textiles and clothing; Equipment; Automotive industry and transportation; Industrial machinery; Agriculture, animal husbandry, and Water, according to data published by the vice Presidency for Science and Technology.

Some 89.6 percent of Iranian nanotechnology products are exported to Asian countries, according to data released by the national headquarters for the development of nanotechnology.

Europe, Africa, America, and Australia are the next destinations with 6.8 percent, 2.5 percent, and 1 percent of imports, respectively.

The data, which are related to the Iranian calendar year 1402 (March 2023-March 2024), also show that neighboring countries are the main export destinations of Iran’s nanotechnology products.

Iraq, Turkey, and Afghanistan are the top three importers, holding 23.1 percent, 6.9 percent, and 6.5 percent shares of the imports.

Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, and India rank next.

The Journal Citation Report (JCR) Impact Factor 2024 has cited 161 Iranian journals, naming five among the world’s most cited in the nanotechnology sector.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry (JNSC) affiliated to Islamic Azad University with an impact factor of 7.9 is placed among the top 25 percent of journals in JCR published by Clarivate Analytics in three categories including Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ranking 34 among 147 top journals; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary, ranking 41 among 239 journals; and Material Science, Multidisciplinary, ranking 88 among 460 top journals.

So far, ten out of the 12 specialized nanotechnology journals in the country have been indexed in the international Scopus database, of which five have received an impact factor.

Having published a total of 4,615 articles in the top 25 percent of journals (Q1 journals) in 2024, Iran is placed among the top ten countries in publishing nanotechnology articles, ranking 12th in h-index for nano-articles in the world.

Although from 2011 on, the country has undergone a downward trend in patenting nanotechnology, it is placed among the top 30 countries in patenting nanotechnology, ranking 27th in 2024.

It is worth noting that the percentage of granted patents increased from 19 percent in 2023 to 25 percent in 2024. Similarly, the number of published and granted patents slightly rose from 17 percent in 2023 to 19 percent in 2024.

By the end of 2024, Iran had published 364 nanotechnology-related patents in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 25 percent of Iran’s USPTO-registered patents fall within the nanotechnology sector.

T.T/

Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) is aiming to boost exports of technical and engineering services to $4.5 billion by the end of the current Iranian year (late March 2026), an official said on Monday.

Sohrab Salimi, acting head of TPO’s Office for Knowledge-Based Products and Engineering Services, said most of these exports occur in the second half of the year, making the target achievable.

He noted that Iranian contractors have built a presence in international markets over the past 32 years, competing alongside major firms from the United States, Canada, Germany, China and Turkey.

Despite fluctuations in export levels, Salimi said government incentives over the years have helped expand Iran’s role in this field.

Salimi said several projects have recently been launched in neighboring countries, pursued both independently by Iranian contractors and in joint ventures.

Most export destinations are nearby, he added, because heavy machinery and equipment often require temporary export permits.

Priority markets include CIS countries, Iraq, the Gulf states, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He said TPO is preparing a comprehensive plan for engineering services exports to present to the High Council of Exports.

While direct subsidies such as those offered between 2011 and 2021 are no longer available, Salimi said indirect support measures remain, including exemptions from foreign currency repatriation requirements and tax relief in 2023 and 2024, subject to approval by the council’s Article 19 committee.

T.T/

Iran’s defense minister has announced that the country now possesses advanced missiles with greater capabilities than previous generations, warning that they will be deployed if Israel undertakes any new aggression.

According to Mehr News Agency, a group of foreign military attachés residing in Tehran met on Tuesday with Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, on the occasion of “August 22 – National Defense Industry Day.”

In this meeting, Brigadier General Nasirzadeh commemorated the memory of the martyrs of the 12-day Israeli imposed war on Iran, especially commanders, scientists, women, men, and children, and said, that August 22, in the official calendar of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has been designated as National Defense Industry Day; an indigenous industry that today, relying on self-sufficiency, perseverance, and Islamic-Iranian teachings, and under the wise guidance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has become one of the main pillars of national security and power.

The Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics explained the roots, aspects, and hidden and apparent objectives of the imposed 12-day war, saying that at the outset, from the very beginning of the war, the Zionist regime enjoyed wide political, intelligence, operational, and military support from the United States, and ultimately, the US directly participated in this offensive operation. “We are fully aware that, in addition to the US, some Western and regional countries were actively involved in the Zionist regime’s interception and defense operations, while we, due to the unlawful US sanctions, were relying solely on our domestic capabilities.”

“In fact, at the very time when we were negotiating with the American side and it had been agreed that the sixth round of these talks would continue in Muscat, the Zionist regime, with US support, launched its aerial and missile strikes at dawn on June 13, in a combination of military and terrorist operations. A number of our senior military commanders and scientists, who were at rest with their families, were targeted and martyred. The first wave of the regime’s attack was carried out remotely by exploiting Syria’s and Iraq’s control gaps,” he said, adding that the Zionist regime’s agents inside Iran were also used in this terrorist operation.

He added that the Zionist regime, imagining that this sudden operation and the assassination of senior military commanders would lead to the collapse of the military structure and command hierarchy, did not expect a quick response from the Islamic Republic of Iran to this cowardly and treacherous attack. “Considering the particular conditions of both sides and the geographical distance, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to its efforts to defend against the massive waves of enemy aircraft and missiles, and despite the martyrdom of a number of senior commanders, designed and executed its retaliatory strikes in two sections: missile and drone, and in a combined form,” Nasirzadeh underlined.

The defense minister went on to say that Iran’s retaliatory operation was gradually carried out more extensively and precisely.” While at the beginning of the war about 60% of our fired missiles passed through the defense layers of the Zionist regime and its supporters, this figure rose progressively in the final hours of the war, reaching up to 90% of the missiles hitting their intended targets, seriously damaging their defense systems.”

He stressed that in this battle, for the first time, the Islamic Republic of Iran used some of its missiles such as Fattah, Sejjil, and Kheibar Shekan, which gradually changed the battlefield equation in favor of Iran. “Nearly 150 targets were designated for our missiles, all of which were struck. Unlike the cowardly Zionist regime, which targeted military commanders, scientists, innocent women and children, civilian infrastructure and industrial centers, residential homes, medical centers, relief forces, prisons, and the national media, the Islamic Republic of Iran deliberately chose its missile targets in the occupied territories from among military centers—especially air bases, intelligence centers, research centers including the Weizmann Institute, the command and control center in Be’er Sheva, the Mossad headquarters, and the Ministry of Defense—which played a key role in the regime’s offensive attacks against our country.”

Brigadier General Nasirzadeh stated that the casualty figures announced by the Zionist regime’s military personnel—even if assumed accurate—together with the 12 to 20 billion dollars of losses estimated by the Westerners and the Zionist regime, demonstrate the accuracy of Iranian missiles in hitting designated military targets. The regime’s intense news censorship and its fear of revealing the scale and locations of damages is further evidence of the success of the operations of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In fact, the regime’s officials themselves are well aware of the depth of the inflicted damages.

Iran’s Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics stressed that this achievement of the armed forces was realized while the opponent of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this conflict was not merely the Zionist regime but its supporters, such as the US and some European countries. “On the other hand stood the Islamic Republic of Iran, which, after more than 40 years of sanctions, relied solely on the capabilities of its fully indigenous defense industries.”

“In the middle of the war, the United States—which undoubtedly had coordinated the Zionist regime’s illegitimate attack on Iran and provided extensive intelligence and logistical support during the war—violated all principles of the UN Charter and the NPT treaty by attacking the peaceful nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, all of which were under the supervision of the IAEA. This attack, in fact, constituted an assault on the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of an independent country by a permanent member of the Security Council. Unfortunately, international organizations and institutions such as the Security Council, under US influence and the support of some European powers, including European members of the Security Council, not only failed to react to this aggression but even encouraged the regime to continue its attacks.”

Nasirzadeh emphasized that the bitter, absurd, and undeniable reality of this war was the deafening silence of international and so-called human rights organizations.

“When the Islamic Republic of Iran realized that the US had openly and directly stepped into the battlefield to support the Zionist regime and attacked peaceful nuclear facilities, with the utmost restraint and to prevent the expansion of war into the region—and despite having many potential American targets in the region—it limited itself to striking only one of the US’s largest bases in the region, “Al-Udeid,” with a limited number of missiles (14 missiles). Although the US President—whose main futile goal seems to be receiving a peace prize—initially denied the impact of this strike to satisfy his political supporters in Congress, it later became clear that the precision-guided missiles destroyed some of the radar facilities stationed at Al-Udeid Base completely.”

“After the missile strike on Al-Udeid Base, some regional governments conveyed the US government’s message regarding a ceasefire to Iran, which, in fact, reflected the Zionist regime’s desperation in continuing the war. The Islamic Republic of Iran, while insisting on preserving its principles and positions and that the initiator of the war must be punished by the international community, accepted the ceasefire on the condition that the last response would belong to Iran.”

“In fact, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to the ceasefire with the aim of preventing the expansion of crisis and war in the region. However, we have no trust in the Zionist regime and its supporter, the US, and their adherence to commitments. Should the other side continue its adventurism and hostilities, this time Iran’s response, given our knowledge of the enemy’s weaknesses, will be deadly, surprising, painful, and beyond calculation.”

He concluded by saying that the defense industry and defense technologies in Iran, within the framework of a decisive and effective deterrence strategy and for the purpose of ensuring national security against the greed and threats of enemies, are at the same time messengers of peace and stability in the region. “Our message to the regional countries is peace, security, prosperity, and joint economic development through understanding, dialogue, respect, and mutual confidence-building. On this basis, the International Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the body in charge of defense diplomacy, is fully prepared to interact and cooperate with the countries you represent.”

MNA/

The Iranian Army Navy’s missile systems successfully destroyed their surface targets at sea using the “Nasir” and “Ghadir” naval cruise missiles and “Qader” medium-range anti-ship cruise missile.

In continuation of organizing the main stages of the Iranian Army Navy Eqtedar 1404 (2025) “Sustainable Authority 1404” missile exercise, various types of naval cruise missiles with different ranges, were fired from the coast and decks of Iranian Navy surface vessels, and successfully hit their targets in the northern Indian Ocean and the Sea of ​​Oman.

At this stage of the exercise, the guided missile cruiser “Genaveh” and “Sabalan” destroyer successfully destroyed a designated surface target at sea by simultaneously firing “Nasir”, “Ghadir” and “Qader” naval cruise and anti-ship missiles.

The “Qader” naval cruise missile is a medium-range, stealthy anti-ship cruise missile with high destructive power and impressive targeting accuracy, designed to combat vessels and coastal targets.

The “Ghadir” naval cruise missile is also a long-range, radar-evading anti-ship cruise missile with high destructive power and impressive targeting accuracy, which is used to combat vessels.

The “Nasir” naval cruise missile is a short-range, radar-evading anti-ship cruise missile with high destructive power and impressive targeting precision, used to combat vessels.

The Iranian Army Navy kicked off the operational phase of its Authroity 1404 missile exercise on Thursday, spanning two days in the northern Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.

The drill will be conducted for two days with the participation of surface and subsurface vessels, aerial units, coastal-to-sea missile sites, sea-based missile sites, and electronic warfare units in the northern Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.

MNA/

Iran on Monday unveiled its first domestically produced advanced class-F gas turbine, a milestone the government said will boost the country’s power generation capabilities.

The turbine, named MGT-75, was designed and manufactured by MAPNA Group’s turbine engineering and manufacturing arm (TUGA).

The unit is equipped with modern technologies including a 3D axial compressor, single-crystal and directionally solidified blades, advanced cooling systems and thermal barrier coatings, giving it efficiency levels comparable to international peers.

The class-F turbine has a capacity of 222 megawatts and features a Can-annular combustion system that reduces environmental emissions and allows operation with a mix of natural gas and hydrogen.

Officials said the new turbine could help address Iran’s chronic energy imbalance while supporting the expansion of renewable power.

They hailed the achievement as a symbol of the country’s industrial maturity and reliance on domestic expertise, positioning Iran to enhance its competitiveness in the energy sector.  /T.T/

Iran says its Zafar and Paya satellites will be launched on a Russian Soyuz rocket this fall, while work on Chabahar spaceport also advances.

Hassan Salarieh, head of the Iranian Space Agency, told Tasnim that two remote-sensing satellites, Zafar and Paya, which were prepared for launch last year, will be sent into orbit on a Russian Soyuz rocket this fall. He added that a domestic launch option is still under review.

The satellites were unveiled in the Iranian year 1402 and had been scheduled for launch in 1403 on a foreign launcher, but delays from the Russian side pushed back the timeline.

Salarieh also said the first phase of the Chabahar Spaceport — designed for solid-fuel launchers — will be operational by the year-end, including a launch pad, command center, telemetry systems, and infrastructure such as power and roads. After test completions, the first trial launch will take place. Phase two, focusing on medium-class liquid-fuel launchers, will begin construction this year.

He added that a second test model of the Nahid-2 communications satellite is also planned for launch this year on the domestic Simorgh launcher.

MNA/

A group of Sunni intellectuals and elites from across the Islamic Republic of Iran have issued a powerful statement addressed to leaders, scholars, and youth throughout the Islamic world, lauding Iran’s decisive victory over the United States and the Zionist regime and calling for broad Islamic resistance in the face of escalating Western aggression.

In their statement, the scholars described the recent developments in the region not only as a geopolitical turning point but as a historic triumph of Islam over disbelief (Kufr). “This is a victory of the Islamic Republic, and indeed of the entire Islamic ummah, against a global front of arrogance and oppression,” the statement read.

Strongly condemning the Zionist regime, the scholars characterized it as a “cancerous tumor” imposed on the region by British colonialism and U.S. imperialism. They denounced its continued occupation of Al-Quds and its daily crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly women and children. “The regime’s illegitimate existence depends on the bloodshed of innocents,” the statement said.

Referring to the October 7 Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by Palestinian resistance forces in Gaza, the scholars praised the courage of young fighters who “shook the foundations of the Zionist regime and exposed the myth of its military and intelligence superiority.”

They also honored the memory of prominent resistance figures—including Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Martyr Sayyed Hashem Safi al-Din, Martyr Ismail Haniyeh, and Martyr Yahya al-Sinwar—who were targeted in assassinations orchestrated by the Zionist regime and its Western backers. These individuals, the statement noted, were martyred solely for defending Al-Aqsa Mosque and protecting oppressed civilians.

The Sunni thinkers also condemned recent acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing them as part of a broader war against the axis of resistance. “In their delusion, the Zionists and their American partners believed they could strike Iran and destabilize the Islamic Republic. But they have fallen into the trap of their own miscalculations.”

Warning of a wider confrontation, the scholars emphasized that other Muslim countries may soon face similar threats. “This is no longer a war against a single nation—it is a war against the Islamic world. A war of civilizations has begun.”

Echoing Quranic verses, the signatories called upon the entire Muslim ummah—particularly the youth, thinkers, and leaders of Islamic nations—to stand firm against the onslaught of militant disbelievers and defend the honor of Islam and the sanctity of Al-Quds.

“We, the Sunni scholars and intellectuals of Iran, declare with unity and clarity that resistance against these enemies of Islam is a religious and moral obligation. It is time for the Islamic world to rise—strong, united, and unyielding.” /T.T/

Iran exported 48 million tons of non-oil goods worth $16.5 billion in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21–July 22), down five percent from the same period last year, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said.

Foroud Asgari, who also serves as deputy economy minister, said petrochemical exports made up the largest share of the total, generating $6.9 billion in revenue.

That figure represents a 10 percent drop compared with the same period a year earlier.

Other major export items included natural gas at about $1.3 billion, liquefied petroleum gas at $1 billion, methanol at $789 million, and butane and petroleum gases at $914 million.

China was Iran’s top export market in the period, purchasing $4.5 billion worth of goods. Iraq ranked second with $3.0 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates with $2.1 billion, Turkey with $1.6 billion, Afghanistan with $790 million, Pakistan with $603 million, and Oman with $591 million.

Asgari noted that despite the overall decline in exports, trade ties with regional neighbors remained strong, accounting for a significant portion of shipments.

He emphasized that Iran is seeking to expand its export markets further by diversifying products and targeting countries in Asia, Africa and Eurasia.

Imports during the same four-month period totaled 17.6 million tons worth $17.6 billion. Key import goods included gold bullion worth $1.0 billion, corn at $1.1 billion, rice worth $688 million (634,000 tons), sunflower seed oil at $132 million, soybeans at $569 million, mobile phones at $504 million, wheat at $344 million, barley at $310 million, and sesame and soybean products at $212 million.

The UAE was the largest source of imports at $5.4 billion, followed by China at $4.5 billion and Turkey at $2.5 billion, with Germany, Russia and the Netherlands supplying smaller amounts.

Asgari said customs operations in ports have returned to normal following recent incidents, with only administrative buildings damaged. Cargo clearance resumed on the second day after the incident through online declarations, and construction of a new customs building at the original site is under way without a tender process to speed completion, he added.

T.T/