The barbarians at its gates who plan to send Iran to the Stone Age are targeting not only Iran’s physical infrastructure but also its universities, research institutions, and hospitals. According to Iran, till now at least 30 universities have been attacked and damaged and more than 600 schools and education institutions struck.Iran’s vaunted science and technology capabilities form the basis of its current resilience against American-Israeli attacks. Besides the deceptively simple Shahed drones, they have been able to fabricate a variety of missiles, some with technology not seen anywhere in the world. The attacks have targeted many institutions associated with Iran’s missile and space programmes. But these attacks have expanded to cover areas which have no clear military connection or application.On April 3, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sounded the alarm on the attacks targeting healthcare infrastructure in Iran. He said that the Pasteur Institute in Tehran had “sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services.” The Institute was set up in 1920 through an inter-governmental agreement between Iran and France. On the same day, the Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital sustained damage in a strike and is currently unable to function. And the Laser and Plasma Research Institute at the Shahid Behesti University in Tehran was attacked, damaging the institute and nearby dormitories as well.Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty.On March 31, the Tofigh Daru research and engineering company, was attacked. The facility is a major producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients for anti-cancer, anaesthetic, cardiovascular and narcotic medications. The company is the only major competitor of the Israeli company Teva Pharmaceuticals in the area of multiple sclerosis drugs.The Daro Bakhsh pharmaceutical factory was hit the next day. This is a production hub for antibiotics, cardio drugs and IV fluids.On March 23, the Israelis hit Malek Ashtar University & Imam Hossein University in Tehran, alleging they were being used for space and weapons research. On March 28, the target was the Iran University of Science and Technology and extensive damage was reported to this engineering institution.The Isfahan University of Technology was struck in mid-March and again on March 28/29 wounding four staffers and damaging several buildings. The next day, the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Shiraz University was attacked. In mid-March, the Isfahan University of Technology was attacked for the first time. This attack was repeated later.A particularly alarming Israeli tactic is to also target individual researchers and teachers. In the past, too, physicists and scientists whom the Israelis accused of being involved in Iran’s nuclear and missile programme were targeted. But now list has expanded hugely. In one attack, Professor Saeeed Shamghadri was killed along with two of his children in a targeted attack on their home. Shamagdhari was a control-engineer with scores of professional publications listed in Google Scholar.The attacks, mostly carried out by Israel are part of the country’s expansive doctrine that is willing to inflict disproportionate casualties in pursuit of an alleged military target. So, research and education that may have potential military applications have been targeted. By this definition, almost all scientific and technical institutions can be attacked. But just how egregious the US-Israeli doctrine is became evident in the destruction of an unfinished bridge in Karaj which was not serving any military function as of now.The systematic pattern of attacks on Iranian infrastructure, both physical and intellectual, suggests that the goal of the American-Israeli war is not just to defeat Iran militarily, but to degrade Iran’s national capacities. It goes without saying that most of these attacks violate the principles of International Humanitarian Law as embodied in the Hague Convention of 1899 and 1907 and the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its two Additional Protocols. Both Israel and the US are party to these conventions (though not the Additional Protocols) that protect people who are not participating in hostilities, civilians, medical facilities and personnel and so on.Iran’s scientific achievementDespite decades of international sanctions, isolation, and economic pressures Iran has emerged as a notable player in global science and technology. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country prioritized self-sufficiency in critical sectors, channeling investments into education, research infrastructure, and indigenous innovation. This strategic focus yielded measurable gains in research output, technological clusters, and knowledge-based industries. While challenges persist, Iran’s capabilities in fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, nuclear technology, aerospace, and artificial intelligence are well known.At the core of Iran’s S&T progress is a strong emphasis on education and human resources. Iran has high literacy rates approximately 93-94% for adults with 97% literacy for those between 15-24. Female literacy is of the order of 85%.The country boasts high tertiary enrolment rates, with over 2 million students in higher education and hundreds of thousands of annual graduates, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Gender parity stands out regionally, with women comprising nearly 50% of students in secondary and tertiary levels. Institutions are supported by entities such as the Iran National Science Foundation and the National Elites Foundation, which provide funding, incentives, and commercialization support for innovators.Research output and global StandingIran’s scientific productivity remains impressive amid constraints. The country ranks 34th globally in overall research output per the Nature Index (4th in Western Asia as of 2025), with notable contributions in nanotechnology (4th-6th worldwide in publications) and biotechnology. It produces thousands of peer-reviewed articles annually, with Tehran emerging as a key science and technology cluster – ranked 63rd among the world’s top 100 in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII) by WIPO, though down from earlier years due to broader economic factors.In the GII 2025, Iran placed 70th out of 139 economies, placing it 2nd in Central and Southern Asia and 17th among upper-middle-income countries. Despite falling from 53rd position in 2022, Iran excels in knowledge and technology outputs (46th), creative outputs, and domestic market scale (8th globally). This reflects a shift toward applied research and commercialisation, even as sanctions hinder access to cutting-edge equipment and international collaborations.Iran’s strengths are concentrated in high-impact, dual-use, and strategic fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, nuclear technology, aerospace and space programmes, AI and emerging technology. These have led to a vibrant startup and knowledge based sector with nearly 10,000 knowledge based firms operating in 33 science and technology parks.International sanctions, particularly US-led measures targeting the nuclear program, have shaped Iran’s S&T trajectory. They restrict access to global journals, conferences, equipment, and financing, contributing to brain drain and over-compliance by banks/pharma firms. Sanctions have accelerated self-reliance, boosting indigenous output in publications and patents, though at the cost of integration into global value chains.Future prospectsIran’s science and technology capabilities exemplify resilience: a nation that has built advanced competencies in isolation through strategic investment in education, targeted R&D, and adaptive policy. From nano-materials to orbital launches and AI prototypes, these achievements position Iran as a regional powerhouse with global relevance. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, greater openness could unlock even greater potential for Iran and the world. On the other hand, as the barbarians wreak their destruction, one thing they will not be able to do is to destroy the knowledge present in the minds of the Iranian populace. Theirs will be a critical role in helping the country recover from its current plight.The writer is a distinguished fellow with the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi.This piece was first published on The India Cable – a premium newsletter from The Wire – and has been updated and republished here. To subscribe to The India Cable, click here.