Hawzah News Agency- Hojatoleslam Abdolhossein Khosropanah made the remarks during a field visit to Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, where he inspected sections damaged by what he called barbaric missile attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States during the imposed war. He toured the laser and plasma research institute as well as student dormitories, assessing the extent of destruction to scientific, research and welfare infrastructure firsthand, and spoke with affected professors, students and staff.
Destruction of Scientific Centers Is a Blow to the Nation's Future
Addressing university officials, Khosropanah stressed that scientific authority forms the bedrock of national power. "Regrettably, centers of science and technology built by Iran’s committed scientists have been targeted for destruction in an attempt to strip Iran of its scientific might. But the enemy is sorely mistaken," he said.
He noted that Shahid Beheshti University, as one of the country's top-ranked institutions with credible global standings, has come under attack, but vowed that by the resolve of those in the field of science and technology, it will be rebuilt better and more powerfully than before.
Silence of Human Rights Claimants Is a Great Scandal
Khosropanah issued a scathing rebuke of international bodies for their silence on the targeting of non-military academic centers. "It is a matter of profound regret that the claimants of human rights lose their voice when it comes to defending Iranian scientists, students and intellectuals," he stated.
Referencing a recent statement by Shahid Beheshti University addressed to UNESCO and other international institutions, he said this deadly silence proves that certain international organizations seek neither justice nor the realization of rights, but rather serve as tools in the hands of hegemonic powers.
Call for Urgent Reconstruction Ahead of New Academic Year
The senior official commended Tehran Municipality's round-the-clock efforts in providing temporary shelter for those affected and carrying out initial reconstruction of damaged homes, describing the work as commendable and driven by a strong sense of responsibility.
Khosropanah further urged the Planning and Budget Organization and the government to allocate immediate and dedicated funding for the reconstruction of these scientific centers so that educational and research facilities are fully operational before the start of the new academic year.
Tapping Domestic Capabilities for Equipment Replacement
Pointing to the destruction of advanced research equipment in the attack, Hojatoleslam Khosropanah acknowledged that the import of some items has been hampered by oppressive sanctions. He therefore called for both the necessary funding and reliance on domestic specialists and knowledge-based companies to manufacture or replace the equipment.
"This crisis can turn into a golden opportunity for a leap in the domestic production of scientific and research equipment," he said, expressing hope that the laboratories and scientific centers of Shahid Beheshti University would be rebuilt with higher quality and greater self-reliance than before.
Wishing health and recovery for the university's president, faculty members, staff and students, Khosropanah concluded that Iran's academic community has proven it keeps the banner of science, knowledge and resistance flying high under the toughest conditions, and expressed hope that with solidarity among governing institutions, the full reopening of this scientific hub will be witnessed as soon as possible.
Shahid Beheshti University is a leading institution in engineering, basic sciences, medicine and modern technologies, with its laser and plasma research institute considered one of the country's strategic scientific centers.
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