Key facts
- Iran's research and university infrastructure sustained approximately $300 million in damage from US-Israeli strikes.
- Knowledge-based companies suffered losses totaling 65 million rials and $25 million in foreign exchange.
- About 32 research and scientific centers were targeted in the strikes.
- Overall physical damage to Iran's industry, excluding oil and gas, is estimated at $6 billion.
- Around 1% of Iran's knowledge-based companies were damaged, with losses around $25 million.
Iran's research and university infrastructure has sustained approximately $300 million in damage from recent US-Israeli strikes, according to Hossein Afshin, the vice president for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy. Afshin stated that the enemy targeted Iran's scientific and technological authority, vowing it would be rebuilt with strength. Knowledge-based companies also reported significant losses, with Afshin specifying 65 million rials and $25 million in foreign exchange.
About 32 research and scientific centers were reportedly hit during the strikes. The overall physical damage to Iran's industry, excluding oil and gas, has been estimated at around $6 billion. Nearly 1% of Iran's approximately 11,000 knowledge-based companies were damaged, incurring about $25 million in losses.
The reports of damage come amid heightened Middle East tensions, with the US and Iran exchanging military strikes. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan, following US strikes on Iranian targets aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran accused the US of interference and warned of a severe response, insisting the strait would reopen only under Iranian supervision. The escalation occurred as Iran buried its slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian officials reported that recent US strikes killed 14 people and wounded 78 across five provinces, with further explosions near Iran's only operational nuclear power plant. Kuwait intercepted missiles and drones targeting US assets, while Jordan reported shooting down incoming missiles. Qatar urged a return to diplomacy, with Turkey and Oman also calling for restraint.