Technology seen as key foreign policy tool in Persian Gulf ties, says Iranian official

The head of Iran’s Organization for the Development of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation has stressed on the strategic role of technology in Iran’s foreign policy during the 4th “Tomorrow’s Opportunity” summit, focused on Persian Gulf states.

Speaking at the event held at Tehran International Exhibition Center, Hossein Rouzbeh stated, “Unlike other Persian Gulf countries, Iran is a producer of technology. This gives us a unique tool within our foreign policy framework as we shift from classic to modern diplomacy.”

According to the Communications and Information Center of the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, the summit aimed to strengthen the presence of Iranian knowledge-based companies in regional markets, particularly those of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, countries with rapidly growing demand for advanced technologies.

Rouzbeh highlighted that technological capacity has become essential in shaping international trade and diplomacy.

The recent 12-day conflict with Israel reminded that technology plays a decisive role in the fate of nations, he pointed out.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry official also noted a shift in the Persian Gulf region from geopolitical rivalry to geoeconomic cooperation since 2020, urging Iranian firms to adjust their regional outlook.

The summit concluded with a panel featuring successful exporters, sharing insights on entering Persian Gulf markets.