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/

Iran’s pursuit of self-reliance has taken a decisive turn in recent years, not just in politics or energy, but in science—particularly in biotechnology.

Under the weight of longstanding sanctions and restrictions, the country has begun to harness the power of science and innovation to reduce its dependence on foreign imports, improve public health, and safeguard food security.

In doing so, Iran is reimagining its economic future, moving from an oil-dependent model to one increasingly defined by knowledge-based industries. Biotechnology is now at the heart of this transformation.

What once began as a scientific curiosity has matured into a key strategic asset. With investment and institutional support, Iran has developed capabilities in health biotechnology that rival many advanced economies.

The country has built a foundation for producing critical medical goods domestically, at a time when access to many foreign pharmaceutical products remains limited.

One of the most prominent examples is the localization of insulin and plasma production. These two essential medical inputs, until recently fully imported, accounted for more than $300 million in annual foreign currency spending.

The government has set a two-year target to complete full domestic production capacity for both, with the aim of not only cutting costs but also reducing vulnerability in the healthcare system.

This shift is not merely economic; it represents a broader national strategy of resilience. In a country where economic pressure is constant, science has become a tool of sovereignty.

Stem cell therapy is one such example. In 2025, Iran reached eighth place globally in stem cell research and treatment, Secretary of the Biotechnology, Health, and Medical Technologies Headquarters, Mostafa Ghane’i, announced on Sunday.

Clinics offering advanced treatments, such as those using plasma technology for wound care, are now opening across the country, offering more equitable access to cutting-edge health solutions.

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced the operation of nine such clinics, including five new centers opened on Sunday.

At the same time, biotechnology is helping Iran look outward. Although the country’s exports have long been dominated by oil and gas, biotech is carving out a growing role.

Official export figures in this field hover around $200 million annually, but experts suggest that the true number, including informal or unregistered trade, may be significantly higher—perhaps even approaching half a billion dollars.

Iran currently exports biotechnology products to at least 17 countries, largely in the region. Its unique infrastructure for the production of recombinant drugs and other advanced biologics gives it a competitive advantage in West and Central Asia, where such capabilities are limited.

In this context, biotechnology is proving to be more than a scientific success. It is becoming a diplomatic and economic tool.

Iran’s homegrown biotech products, from vaccines to biosimilar drugs, are increasingly sought after by neighboring countries, particularly those looking for affordable alternatives to Western pharmaceuticals.

These exports, while modest in size compared to oil, have strategic weight. They demonstrate that even under sanctions and financial restrictions, Iran can offer the region high-value goods based on domestic innovation.

But biotechnology’s impact extends beyond laboratories and hospitals. Iran has also turned to this science to tackle one of its most urgent challenges: food security.

In recent years, environmental pressures, climate change, and population growth have put a strain on the country’s agricultural system. In response, Iran has embraced genetic engineering and biotechnology to improve crop yields, reduce import dependence, and ensure that its food supply remains stable.

From developing drought-resistant crops to reducing reliance on imported livestock inputs, the country is attempting to modernize its agricultural sector using tools that many advanced economies have long embraced.

Policymakers see this not only as an economic issue but as a matter of national security. Food, like medicine, has become a geopolitical tool, and Iran is working to ensure that its population is never at the mercy of foreign suppliers.

Investments in agricultural biotechnology are already showing results, and continued research and innovation in this area are now considered essential components of Iran’s broader development goals.

Underpinning these efforts is a clear strategic vision. In its national development documents, Iran has laid out an ambitious target to have technology, including biotechnology, contribute 7 percent to its gross domestic product in the near future.

Institutions like the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, along with research universities and private knowledge-based firms, are now playing central roles in achieving this goal. The focus is on building an innovation ecosystem that turns scientific breakthroughs into commercial products and public benefit.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Sanctions still limit access to some equipment and restrict international collaboration. Bureaucracy and regulatory hurdles can slow the path from research to market.

Yet the momentum is undeniable. What Iran lacks in resources, it is beginning to make up for in scientific talent, strategic planning, and national will.

By investing in this field, Iran is not only building a more self-sufficient economy, it is also laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable development based on innovation and resilience.

Iran’s biotech journey offers a compelling case of how science can become a pillar of economic strength and national dignity.

Its experience shows what is possible when a nation turns to its own capabilities and dares to lead with knowledge.

MNA/PressTV

The July edition of the Webometrics world ranking has included 64 medical universities from Iran, unchanged from January’s edition, 11 of which have advanced in the ranking compared to the January edition.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences (485) is the only university ranked among the top 500 institutions in the world, Mehr news agency reported.

Among Iranian universities, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, and Yazd University of Medical Sciences have improved their rankings by 1002, 961, and 948 positions, respectively.

Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Kordestan University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, and Maraghe University of Medical Sciences are the other universities that have noticeably improved their rankings.

Other universities have declined compared to the January edition.

The Ranking Web (Webometrics) has been published since 2004 with the aim of promoting open access to the knowledge generated by universities. The July 2025 edition includes almost 32,000 higher education institutions (HEIs) from around the world. The ranking model is based on both webometric and bibliometric indicators, which are collected from reliable sources such as Majestic, OpenAlex, and Scimago-Scopus.

Web data is gathered during the first days of July, while bibliometric information covers the period from 2020 to 2024.

The Webometrics July 2025 ranking is based on a combination of indicators measuring a university’s web presence and impact. Specifically, it uses three main indicators: Visibility (50 percent), Excellence (40 percent), and Transparency/Openness (10 percent). These indicators assess the university’s website impact, the number of highly cited research papers, and the citation counts of researchers, respectively.

Based on the July edition of 2025, Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Oxford, University of Washington, University of Michigan, Cornell University, University of California Berkeley, Johns Hopkins University, and Colombia University New York, are the top ten institutions.

Recent rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) has included 34 universities from Iran among the top universities pursuing sustainable development goals (SDGs), up from 33 universities in 2024.

Iran University of Medical Sciences, with a global ranking of 301-400, is placed first in the country.

Alzahra University, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (ranking 401-600) are placed second.

Iran University of Medical Sciences ranks 48th in good health and well-being as well as reduced inequalities, and 62nd in quality education goals.

Alzahra University and Kerman University of Medical Sciences rank 85th and 89th in gender equality, respectively.

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences ranks 30th in good health and well-being.

Amirkabir University of Technology and Shahid Beheshti University rank 46th and 60th in industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

The 22nd edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR), 2026, has placed nine Iranian universities among the world’s top institutes, unchanged from the 2025 ranking.
University of Tehran, with a global ranking of 322, ranks first among the Iranian universities.

Sharif University of Technology (ranking 375) and Amirkabir University of Technology (456) are placed second and third.

Iran University of Science and Technology (496), Isfahan University of Technology (571), University of Tabriz (578), Shiraz University (701-710), Shahid Beheshti University (741-750), and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (951- 1000) are other top universities included in this year’s ranking.

The Round University Ranking (RUR) 2025 has placed 36 Iranian universities among the top universities in the world, up from 32 universities in 2024.

Islamic Azad University, with a global ranking of 93, is placed first in the country.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences (125), University of Tehran (202), Iran University of Science and Technology (355), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (371), Sharif University of Technology (389), University of Tabriz (422), Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (440), Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (445), and Shahid Beheshti University (454) ranked second to tenth.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Islamic Azad University are ranked third and fourth globally in terms of Teaching Ranking index; they are placed first and second in the country. Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (with a global ranking of 69) is placed third.

Based on the Research Ranking index, University of Tehran (with a global ranking of 138), Sharif University of Technology (252), Islamic Azad University (259) are placed first to third in the country, respectively.

Islamic Azad University (414), Graduate University of Advanced Technology (542), and Imam Hossein University (572) are ranked first to third in terms of the International Diversity Ranking index.

Based on the Financial Sustainability index, Imam Hossein University (155), Baqir al-Olum University (212), and Iran University of Science and Technology (245) are the top three universities in the country.

The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025 has placed 85 Iranian universities among the top Asian institutions, compared to 75 universities in 2024.

Sharif University of Technology is ranked first in the country, with a global ranking of 69.

Amirkabir University of Technology (70), Iran University of Science and Technology (77), University of Tehran (97), Tehran University of Medical Science (109), Isfahan University of Technology (115), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (121), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (154), and Shiraz University of Technology (155) are placed second to tenth in the country.

The 15th edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2025 has included 17 Iranian universities in 21 subject entries, compared to 17 Iranian universities in 17 subject entries in 2024.

Iranian universities are ranked among the top institutions in three faculty areas, including Engineering and Technology; Life sciences and Medicine; and Natural Sciences, Mehr news agency reported.

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) by international outlook 2025 has ranked 85 Iranian universities among the top universities in the world. Sharif University of Technology (with a global ranking of 301- 350) tops the universities of the country.

THE World University Rankings 2025 has placed 81 Iranian universities among the top universities in the world in 10 out of 11 subject areas, compared to 73 universities in 2024. Iran’s best rankings are in Computer Sciences, and Engineering.

T.T/

Researchers in an Iranian company have designed and manufactured an electrochemical supercapacitor, putting Iran on the list of five countries that produce such an electrical storage.

Noor Ali Mohammadi, managing director of the Chemical Industries Research Group which is run by the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) known as Jahad-e-Daneshgahi announced that researchers at the group had domestically designed and manufactured an electrochemical supercapacitor.

With this achievement, Iran became the fifth country in the world, after Canada, South Korea, China, and the United States, to achieve advanced technology for manufacturing this product.

A supercapacitor is an electrochemical energy storage device, which can be used to store and deliver charge by reversible adsorption and desorption of ions at the interface between the electrode material and electrolyte. Supercapacitors are also called ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors.

“Given the country’s development plans in the field of manufacturing electric vehicles and advanced equipment, the domestic consumer market for this technology has a positive outlook,” Mohammadi said.

He added that the ACECR is ready to start mass production of electrochemical supercapacitors inside the country after attracting private sector investors and government support.

The director said that about 100 experts are working with their research institute, adding that it is expected that by the end of the year, more than 20 other research projects will be put into operation.

MNA

Iranian wushu athlete Yasaman Bagherzadeh won a gold medal in the 2025 World Games on Tuesday. She defeated China’s Hailan Zhu 2-1 in the women’s 70kg.

Egyptian Menaalla Aly beat Briton’s Krista Dyer 2-0 in the bronze medal match.

Earlier on Tuesday, another Iranian wushu athlete Soheila Mansourian claimed a bronze medal in the same contest.

The 12th edition of The World Games take place from Aug. 7-17 in Chengdu, China.

MNA

Iran has made significant progress in the field of stem cells and cell therapy, advancing to the eighth place in the world from the 12th in the previous year.

“Last year, we had only one cell therapy product on the market and ranked 12th in the world, but this year we have reached eighth place in the world with 5 products,” according to Mostafa Qanei, an official with the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.

He made the remarks in a press conference in Tehran on Sunday with a focus on the achievements of the health sector.

“Our goal is to be among the top five countries in the world in this field and eliminate the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment,” he added.

Technological projects in health sector

For his part, Saeed Sarkar, an official with the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology, added that twenty technological projects related to the health sector are on the agenda in the current Iranian year, which ends in March 2026.

These projects include the production of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) drugs, the development of early detection kits for digestive cancers, and other health-oriented products, which are expected to save up to $40 million in foreign currency, IRIB quoted Sarkar as saying.

Referring to medicinal plants, the official said: “We are pursuing two main goals, the first one is to improve the effectiveness of medicinal plants through technologies such as nanotechnology, for example, nanocapsules loaded with curcumin to enhance absorption capacity.

The second goal is to conduct clinical trials to document the effects of traditional medicine and present the results to the health ministry for verification.

Talking about the use of artificial intelligence in the health system, Sarkar said, “We are deploying artificial intelligence tools in sectors like radiology and pathology. These devices will play a complementary role in medical diagnostics, helping to improve accuracy, reduce costs, and improve public access to healthcare.”

The official went on to highlight the unprecedented potential of AI technology in the health sector, saying that the use of artificial intelligence in the health system can significantly enhance the accuracy and speed of clinical decision-making while simultaneously reducing costs and risks.

In February, IRNA quoted the Food and Drug Administration director, Mehdi Pirsalehi, as saying that Iran has succeeded in producing cell therapy products that have received the FDA’s approval.

“Some gene therapy products are also in the clinical trial phase,” he added.

Referring to the country’s scientific progress in the pharmaceutical sector and Iranian scientists’ capabilities, the official highlighted the significance of developing modern techniques and utilizing artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry.

About 99 percent of the medicine supplied to the domestic market is produced by Iranian knowledge-based companies. They have also been successful at manufacturing biotechnology products using indigenized technology to meet the needs of the country,” Pirsalehi added.

Integrating AI in healthcare

In April, Qanei said one of the main priorities of the vice-presidency for science and knowledge-based economy in the health sector is to integrate AI in healthcare to reduce treatment costs by forty percent.

The country’s current health care costs are very high; one of the main solutions to lower the healthcare costs (particularly of chronic diseases) and boost productivity is using appropriate AI-based technologies, IRNA quoted Qanei as saying.

Integrating AI into the healthcare system requires a proper roadmap and a comprehensive approach. The official went on to say that experts operating in the field will be supported in different ways to boost innovation.

T.T/

Iranian female karate athlete Sara Bahmanyar claimed a gold medal in the 2025 World Games on Friday.

Bahmanyar defeated Kazakhstan’s Moldir Zhangbyrbay in the final match of women’s kumite 50 kg, according to Tehran Times.

She had defeated Algerian Cylia Ouikene 4-3 in the semifinals as well as Canadian Yamina Lahyanssa, Erminia Perfetto of Italy, and Croatian Ema Sgardelli in Pool A.

Sgardelli seized the bronze medal in the weight class.

The 12th edition of the World Games take place on August 7-17 in Chengdu, China.

MNA