Expansion of Iran-Turkey Scientific Cooperation; Ministers Reach Agreement at Istanbul Summit

During the seventh edition of the Turkey Educational Technologies Summit (TETZ 2026) held in Istanbul, Hossein Simaei Sarraf, Iran's Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, met and held talks with Yusuf Tekin, Turkey's Minister of National Education [1]. This diplomatic meeting, held on June 28, 2026, focused on developing educational infrastructure and exchanging technical knowledge between the two neighboring countries.

Main Pillars of the Meeting and Strategic Agreements In this meeting, both high-ranking officials emphasized the need to implement previous memorandums of understanding and define new research projects. Yusuf Tekin expressed sympathy regarding recent attacks on scientific centers and emphasized Ankara's solidarity with the Iranian scientific community [1]. The ministers agreed to form joint working groups to facilitate the exchange of students and professors, particularly at the postgraduate level. The mutual recognition of academic degrees and the strengthening of university cooperation within the framework of regional organizations were also discussed [3].

Artificial Intelligence and Ethics in New Technologies A turning point in these talks was the focus on emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). Hossein Simaei Sarraf noted in his speech at the summit that technological advancements must be accompanied by ethical responsibility to prevent them from becoming destructive tools [2]. Iran, which currently ranks first in cognitive sciences among Islamic countries and ninth globally in advanced materials, announced its readiness to share these experiences with Turkey [2]. Both sides emphasized the creation of joint AI laboratories and the formulation of ethical frameworks for using this technology in education.

Scientific Diplomacy and Countering Double Standards In another part of the meeting, the Iranian and Turkish ministers criticized Western approaches to human rights and science. Yusuf Tekin criticized the West's instrumental use of human rights concepts and emphasized the necessity of producing independent scientific literature in the Islamic world [1]. Simaei Sarraf also pointed to illegal sanctions, noting that despite these pressures, Iranian universities have achieved distinguished positions in international rankings, and these capacities provide a great opportunity for joint investment [2]. At the end of the meeting, the Iranian Minister of Science invited his Turkish counterpart for an official visit to Tehran to follow up on the agreements [1].