Iran and Russia are preparing to establish a joint commission focused on science and technology cooperation between the two countries.
Ehsan Qaboul, head of Iran’s Center for International Scientific Cooperation, said Tehran plans to deepen scientific and academic ties with Moscow.
The two sides also plan to sign a document outlining international scientific cooperation. Iran’s science minister, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, is expected to travel to Moscow within three months to finalize the agreement.
Qaboul said Iran plans to launch 500 cooperation programs with Russian universities and scientific institutions. The initiatives will cover education, research, technology and cultural exchanges.
The planned programs include 100 joint educational courses featuring Russian professors. They will also allow 100 Iranian master’s and doctoral students to select a second academic supervisor from Russian universities.
In addition, Iran and Russia plan to organize 100 technology-focused events. These initiatives aim to expand bilateral cooperation beyond academic research and into technology development.
The program also includes 100 joint cultural events involving universities and academic institutions. Another 100 scholarships will support Russian students, particularly those interested in Persian language and literature.
Iran also plans to support Persian-language programs at Russian universities. Iranian professors will be available to teach Persian to Russian students both in person and online.
During a meeting in June, Simaei-Sarraf and Russian Science and Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov discussed expanding professor and student exchanges. They also reviewed research cooperation and academic interactions.
Both sides have previously highlighted language programs as an important part of closer academic and cultural relations.
The planned commission follows several recent Iran-Russia academic initiatives. A bilateral scientific conference was held in Moscow in December 2025, bringing together officials and representatives from universities and research institutions.
Iran and Russia have also discussed joint research projects, academic exchanges and technology cooperation. The new commission could provide a formal framework for coordinating these initiatives and expanding collaboration between universities and scientific institutions.