WANA (Apr 04) – The Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simayi Sarraf, strongly condemned recent attacks on the country’s higher education and research centers, describing them as clear violations of international law and crimes against humanity. He stated that over 30 universities have been directly targeted so far.

 

Speaking on Saturday following the attack by the Israeli regime on the Laser and Plasma Research Center at Shahid Beheshti University, Simayi Sarraf said: “Last week, the University of Science and Technology and previously Isfahan University of Technology and other research centers suffered brutal attacks.”

 

He added, “To date, more than 30 universities have been directly targeted, which is unimaginable in the era of human rights and international law.”

Laboratory equipment at the research building at the Shahid Beheshti University damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 4, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The minister emphasized the importance of scientific infrastructure, noting that civilian sites and essential facilities for education and research have been violated.

 

“According to international documents, attacking such infrastructure not only constitutes a violation of international law but also a crime against humanity,” he added.

 

He warned of the human cost of these attacks: “Millions of students and researchers are now deprived of education and study. Our country, as a key provider of scientific talent for the world, has suffered serious damage from these assaults.”

A view of the research building at the Shahid Beheshti University damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 4, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Simayi Sarraf also recalled the assassination of Iranian scientists by the Israeli regime: “Israel has long pursued a program of targeting our scientists, with martyrs like Shahriari and Ali-Mohammadi as prominent examples.”

 

He added, “During the 12-day conflict, professors at this university, including Tehranchi, Manouchehr, and Zolfaghari, were martyred, and more than 60 students also lost their lives.”

 

He concluded: “Attacks on universities and research centers represent a return to the Stone Age and reflect hostility toward science, culture, and civilization. This enemy has abandoned even the most basic human and democratic values. Nevertheless, our country will continue its path of scientific and technological development, and such violent actions cannot halt our determination to train scientific talent for Iran and the world.”

A view of the research building at the Shahid Beheshti University damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 4, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)