Iran's supreme leader: A strong Iran rests upon scientific power

In a statement shared by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency on Monday, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei emphasised the importance of scientific progress to Iran's strength. "The key to making Iran even stronger is the boundary-breaking work and problem-solving of the country's elites in scientific matters," Khamenei said in the statement addressed to Iranian elites and scientific and sporting medalists competing internationally. "The malice and crimes committed by the enemies of Islamic Iran against its scientists and elites demonstrate the effective role of elites in strengthening the country," Khamenei added, calling on officials to "provide necessary infrastructure" for a deep and rapid scientific leap. The statement was read at a ceremony honouring Iranian scientific and sports medalists, Tasnim reported.