The first multilateral document on artificial intelligence (AI) among Islamic countries is scheduled to be approved during the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-15) Dialogue Platform, which will be held in Tehran from May 18 to 20, Science, Research, and Technology Minister, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, has said.

The platform aims to utilize the capacity of the leading Islamic countries in the field of science and technology to address major scientific, technological, and higher education challenges faced by Muslim nations and societies, ISNA quoted Simaei-Sarraf as saying.

The official made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of the member states of the OIC-15.

The theme of the 2nd Ministerial meeting focuses on AI, and is titled ‘Innovation in Science and Technology through using AI: A strategy for excellence, a bright future for the Islamic World’, the official added.

“Our duty, as representatives and ambassadors of the Islamic countries responsible for pursuing science and technology diplomacy, is to achieve convergence and alignment in strategies, policies, national science programs, as well as technology and innovation programs at transnational levels by using the opportunities that international organizations, forums, and meetings such as the OIC-15 open up,” Simaei-Sarraf noted.

Organizing the national innovation system (NIS), developing programs that can increase the share of science, technology, and education in economic growth, as well as gross domestic product (GDP). Boosting public participation in various science and technology fields is among the science and technology policies being implemented in Islamic countries, the official stressed.

The first Ministerial Meeting of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in May 2023.

Iran’s ranking among Islamic countries

According to the Web of Science, Iran (with 17,458 documents) ranks first in neural network technology as well as multi-agent systems (with 351 documents) among Islamic countries.

The country secures a ranking of 6th in neural network technology and 12th in multi-agent systems globally.

Iran ranks second in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and robotics among Islamic nations.

The report has included data in a twenty-year period from 2004 to 2023.

According to the report, with 606 publications on three-dimensional printing over a span of ten years, Iran ranks second among Islamic nations.

The report has included data from 2014 to 2023.

The country’s global ranking in 3D printing publications is 22, IRNA reported.

According to a report released by the Web of Science in January, three-dimensional printing and additive manufacturing publications in Iran experienced notable growth from 2010 to 2023.

University of Tehran (with 83 documents), Amirkabir University of Technology (with 83 documents), Tarbiat Modarres University (with 40 documents), and Tehran University of Medical Sciences (with 37 documents) had the highest number of publications.

Iran, with 65 documents, ranks first among Islamic countries in four-dimensional (4D) printing and ranks 11 globally.

T.T/

The use of Persian carpets in papal funeral proceedings may seem like a surprising choice—that is, to those unaware of the long history of carpets from the Islamic world in Christian contexts.

A field of flowers surrounded Pope Francis’s simple wooden casket in St Peter’s Basilica this week. The intricate pattern, woven in shades of crimson, indigo, and orange, does not belong to an Italian artistic tradition. This elaborate carpet, the second of three used in the papal funeral proceedings, comes from northwest Iran, The Art Newspaper reports.

The use of Persian carpets in papal funeral proceedings may seem like a surprising choice—that is, to those unaware of the long history of carpets from the Islamic world in Christian contexts. By placing Persian carpets beneath Pope Francis’s casket in his private chapel and then in St Peter’s, and for his funeral in St Peter’s square on 26 April, the Catholic Church is following a tradition spanning over six hundred years. How, one might wonder, did the visual language of carpets, neither Italian nor from a Christian tradition, come to signify holy ground in the most sanctified of Catholic rituals?

From the late 14th century on, carpets imported from Anatolia (and later the Levant, Egypt, and Iran) were the most precious floor coverings money could buy. Their special status is attested by their depiction in religious paintings, where such carpets often appear at the feet of the Virgin Mary or other important Christian figures. One of the earliest examples is The Marriage of the Virgin by Niccolò di Buonaccorso, painted in Siena around 1380 (and featured in the exhibition Siena: the rise of painting at the National Gallery in London). In it, a striking carpet with a design of confronted animals demarcates the exalted zone within which the wedding of Mary and Joseph takes place. A closely related carpet, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was discovered in the 1990s, likely a product of the Ilkhanid Empire’s western domains.

Andrea del Verrocchio used an Anatolian carpet in a similar way for his depiction of the Virgin and Child flanked by John the Baptist and the bishop Donato de’ Medici (known as the Piazza Madonna), completed in 1486. The carpet, an Ottoman design of which many examples survive, creates a privileged space in which the Madonna reposes. The relative proximity of the two other figures to the Virgin and Child is implied by their positioning within the carpet. While St John steps his entire foot onto the carpet’s border, Donato de’ Medici encroaches on the space with only the edge of one toe.

In the 16th century, carpets from Islamic lands reached Europe in growing numbers, arriving as trade goods, direct commissions, and sometimes, for the very finest examples, diplomatic gifts. Carpets from Ottoman lands dominated the trade in the 16th century. Safavid Iran and later Mughal India joined the market in the 17th. The use of carpets as diplomatic gifts continues to this day. In 2016, when the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, he brought with him a small carpet woven in Qom as a gift for the pontiff.

The three carpets seen in Francis’s funeral proceedings function in much the same way as the carpets in the paintings. They signal holy ground, a sanctified space with distinct borders that separate the pontiff from attendants and visitors around him. In the more intimate space of the private chapel, two members of the Swiss Guard stood flanking the casket on the carpet’s border, echoing the gesture of John the Baptist in Verrocchio’s Piazza Madonna. In St Peter’s, for the public viewing, the larger carpet’s borders and the sanctified zone they encompass were reinforced by stanchions.

Remembering Pope Francis, for 12 years head of the Catholic church and proprietor in trust of the Vatican’s library and art collections
Louis Jebb

Another Persian carpet was spread under Pope Francis’s casket for his funeral mass in St Peter’s Square. It was a Heriz carpet, again from northwest Iran, and appears to be the same one used for the previous two papal funerals; for Pope John Paul II in 2005 and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2023.

Changes enacted by Francis in late 2024 eschew much of the pomp and circumstance of previous papal funerals, like the elevated biers used by his predecessors in St Peter’s Basilica and the three different coffins of cypress, lead, and oak. Considering this, the inclusion of the carpets holds particular significance. As Francis lies in a simple wooden casket placed low to the carpet, the image of holy ground comes vividly to the fore.

MNA/

Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak has said that the country’s volume of trade exchanges with the world’s countries has reached $130 billion in 2024, showing an 11 percent growth.

Speaking on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of the 7th Export Potential Exhibition of the Islamic Republic of Iran, dubbed “Iran Expo 2025,” held at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds on Monday, he emphasized that Iran has enhanced its trade and economic exchanges with the countries of the world despite the cruel US sanctions imposed against country.

The minister went on to say that Iran exported 152 million tons of goods, valued at $57.8 billion, to other countries in the previous Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2024 to March 20, 2025).

Turning to Iran’s volume of trade exchanges with the countries in the world, Atabak pointed out that Iran’s volume of trade exchanges with the countries in the world has increased to $130 billion, showing an 11 percent growth compared to a year earlier.

With the strengthening economic diplomacy, Iran should develop the implementation of Preferential and Free Trade Agreements with other countries, the minister of industry highlighted.

MNA/

Iranian runner Parisa Arab won fifth place and received a $3,500 prize in the Basra International Half Marathon Competition, setting a new record for Iranian women’s half marathon.

The city of Basra hosted its first international half-marathon on Friday, attracting 147 runners from 44 countries in an event hailed as the largest of its kind in the city’s history.

The 21-kilometer race began at the Sports City complex and ended at the Shatt al-Arab Corniche, drawing strong public turnout and praise for its organization.

In this competition, the Iranian runner Parisa Arab won fifth place and received a $3,500 prize, setting a new record for the country’s women’s half marathon.

Parisa Arab is an Iranian American runner who has competed at events ranging from 1,500-meters to half marathons and holds Iranian national records in the 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000-meter.

MNA/

Iran successfully thwarted a large-scale cyberattack targeting the country’s critical infrastructure.

Behzad Akbari, CEO of Iran’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Company and Deputy ICT Minister, announced that a major cyberattack targeting the country’s infrastructure was successfully identified and neutralized.

“Thanks to divine assistance and the dedicated efforts of the security and technical teams at the Telecommunications Infrastructure Company and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, a large-scale and complex cyberattack against the country’s infrastructure was detected yesterday and preventive measures were taken,” Akbari said in a post published on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

No further details have been disclosed about the origin or nature of the attack.

/MNA

The historic city of Yazd has been officially designated as the world city of traditional and handcrafted jewelry by the World Crafts Council (WCC), marking another significant international cultural achievement for Iran.

In that regard, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri on Monday, congratulated the nation, especially the people and artisans of Yazd, on this milestone, describing it as a powerful symbol of the deep connection between the country’s ancient traditions and modern creativity.

“This recognition is a clear testament to Yazd’s rich cultural and artistic potential and reflects the effectiveness of our ‘heritage diplomacy’ strategy, aimed at strengthening Iran’s cultural brand and social resilience,” Salehi-Amiri said in a press conference.

The designation follows a thorough evaluation process, including a field visit by a team of WCC experts earlier this year. The experts conducted on-site assessments, engaged with local craftspeople, and explored Yazd’s capacity to represent the global standard in traditional jewelry-making.

The minister also credited the success to the joint efforts of the Yazd provincial government, private sector partners, and the region’s vibrant community of craftspeople and entrepreneurs.

“Their collaboration in building creative production and distribution networks played a vital role in achieving this global recognition,” he said, calling it “a successful model of harmonizing grassroots and governmental capabilities.”

This is not the first time Yazd has gained international acclaim. In 2017, the city’s historic urban fabric was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first historic city in Iran to receive such status.

Salehi-Amiri described this new recognition as “a fresh step forward in Yazd’s journey toward global prominence and its firm place in the world’s cultural knowledge ecosystem.”

In addition, the minister emphasized the importance of handicrafts in shaping Iran’s creative economy. “Yazd’s traditional jewelry, with its deep roots, unique techniques, and authentic aesthetics, has the potential to redefine Iran’s role in the global, culture-driven economy,” he added.

Zargari of Yazd

The history of Zargari, or the art of jewelry making, in the historic city of Yazd dates back approximately 2,000 years, as supported by reliable evidence. This ancient craft has been passed down through generations, maintaining its distinctive and intricate techniques that make Yazdi jewelry nearly impossible to replicate. Some exquisite pieces, dating back 500 years, are found exclusively in Yazd.

Jewelry making is one of the most renowned traditional arts of Yazd, recognized both in Iran and internationally as Yazdi Zargari.

Unlike the standard 18-karat gold commonly produced in Iran, Yazd’s traditional goldsmiths craft their pieces with a fineness of 20 karats. This higher purity level is one of the key factors behind the esteemed reputation of Yazd’s traditional jewelry.

Available evidence shows the discovery of jewelry from the Parthian era, dating back around 2,000 years, in the historic region of Mehriz. These findings further attest to the city’s deep-rooted legacy in gold ornamentation.

One of the most iconic jewelry pieces from Yazd is the “Chin-Abi” chain, named after its unique manufacturing technique. The hallmark of this chain is its extraordinary softness, designed to mimic the fluidity of water. It is crafted from delicate golden filaments, rods, and 20-karat gold rings unique to Yazd, often combined with copper and silver alloys.

Other traditional chain-making methods, such as “Hel Malileh Yazdi,” “Toop Malileh Yazdi,” and “Hel va Gol-e Yazd,” are distinctive techniques belonging to Yazdi Zargari.

Those time-honored craftsmanship techniques have been officially recognized and registered as part of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage, ensuring their preservation for future generations. /T.T/

Iran’s dairy exports nearly doubled in the past calendar year to reach around $1 billion, according to figures released by an industry union.

The figures by Iran Dairy Industries Society (IDIS) showed that Iran’s dairy exports had reached more than 0.587 million metric tons (mt) worth $948.9 million in the 11 calendar months to late February, according to Press TV.

The report said that dairy exports from Iran had increased by 19% in volume terms and by 43% in value terms compared to the 11 months to February 2024.

Powdered milk exports accounted for 38.6% of the total dairy exports from Iran, generating some $366.7 million worth of revenues for the country in the 11-month period, IDIS said, adding that shipments had risen by 51% year on year.

Iran’s cheese exports rose 17% in the 11 months to late February compared to the same previous period to reach $146.2 million, it said.

However, the union said Iran had experienced a 262% rise in its butter exports in the last calendar year amid a global shortage, which increased demand for Iranian butter in countries like Russia.

IDIS figures showed that butter exports had generated $169.9 million in revenue for Iran in the 11 months to late February, compared to $46.9 million reported in the same previous period.

Iran has introduced polices to encourage food exports from the country as part of efforts to diversify its economy away from crude oil revenues.

Figures released by the Iranian customs office last week showed that the country had exported some $5.2 billion worth of agricultural products in the year to March 20, up 29% from the year before.

MNA

Iran’s agricultural exports rose by 29 percent in the Iranian year 1403 (ended March 19, 2025), reaching $5.2 billion, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).

IRICA reported that Iran exported 7.6 million metric tons of agricultural products during the year, marking an 11 percent increase in volume compared to the previous year.

Key export commodities included various types of pistachios, tomatoes, and dates. Pistachio exports led the sector, generating $1.5 billion in revenue, followed by $233 million in tomatoes and $205 million in dates.

Iran exported 214.3 metric tons of saffron worth $184.7 million in the year 1403, IRICA’s Director General of Statistics and Data Processing, Hamid Bayat, announced.

Saffron exports saw a four percent drop in volume and a 13 percent decline in value year-on-year.

The United Arab Emirates, Spain, and China were the top three buyers of Iranian saffron in 1403, importing $50 million, $40 million, and $30 million worth respectively.

Bayat noted that these three countries accounted for 65 percent of the total value of Iran’s saffron exports. He added that Iranian saffron was shipped to more than 50 countries worldwide.  /T.T/

Four-time Paralympic gold medalist Sareh Javanmardi has announced her intention to compete in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Previously, she had indicated that she would retire from the sport after the 2024 Paralympics.

Javanmardi now expresses a desire to continue, stating, “It’s a huge honor to bring joy to people. I see the capability to participate in the next Games, and I want to bring them happiness through our achievements.”

When asked about her participation in the upcoming Paralympics, Javanmardi said, “It’s not impossible. When I first started in sports, I never envisioned the Paralympics or competitive sports, but this 18-year journey has been successful.

“At one point, I got married, and it was suggested that this would disrupt my athletic career, but that wasn’t the case. After the birth of my child, I took a brief hiatus, but I rebounded at the Paralympics and demonstrated that women can succeed under any circumstances.”

She added, “I genuinely want to continue, and I believe I have the ability to compete in another Paralympic Games. I am unsure what challenges lie ahead, but I want to fight and strive for my country again, and I will have that opportunity.” /T.T/