ICT Minister Seyed Sattar Hashemi said in an Op-Ed in the Iran Daily newspaper on Monday that Tehran has revitalized its technology diplomacy in the wake of 12-day Israel-US aggression last June.
The following is full text of the minister's article published on the occasion of his participation at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC) in Baku, Azerbaijan:
Iran’s Message at WTDC-25: Tech Diplomacy Returns to Forefront
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), which begins on Monday hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan in Baku is considered an ongoing and specialized event for many countries, a venue to exchange technical views, share experience, and review telecommunications development trends. However, for the Islamic Republic of Iran, this year’s event carries a completely different meaning.
After the 12-day US-Israel imposed war last June that targeted the country’s critical cyber infrastructure and exposed us to the most sophisticated digital attacks, WTDC-25 was the first international stage where Iran could present its narrative of resilience.
We are not simply a technical and specialized delegation representing Iran at this summit; rather, we are the bearers of the narrative of national resilience and the representative of our country's digital resistance model, which we are narrating in plenary meeting as well as on its sidelines, in a series of high-level and intensive meetings with the Ministers of Communications of Russia, India, Malaysia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, as well as with the Secretary General and senior managers of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
1) Digital resilience
In modern world, technology is no longer on the margins of economy, culture, politics, and security; it is at the center of national power. As recent developments have shown, cyber borders are sometimes more important than land borders. The 12-day cyber war against Iran, in addition to the losses and pressures, revealed an important reality: The Islamic Republic of Iran has reached a stage of capability that not only remains resilient against large-scale attacks, but is also capable of sustaining and rebuilding the country's communications chain by relying on indigenous infrastructure.
This experience has become the backbone of Iran's technology diplomacy strategy today, as we arrived in Baku with full hands, with practical experience, not theoretical discourse.
2) Technology diplomacy
In today's interconnected world, countries are more successful that can, in addition to domestic development, gain negotiating power, active presence in the technology value chain, and participate in global markets.
Technology sanctions have tried to keep Iran away from this chain over the past years, but the result was exactly the opposite: Iran continued its march on the endogenous path with strength, and we have reached a point where we are able to export technology, cloud services, network equipment, software, and digital solutions.
In such circumstances, participation in international events is not a option but a strategic necessity. WTDC-25 was an opportunity for Iran to transform itself from a beneficiary of international examples to an influential player and global model.
3- Intensive negotiations
On the sidelines of the summit, a series of important meetings are on the agenda with the ministers of communications of Russia, India, Malaysia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, as well as with the Secretary General and senior managers of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
In all these discussions, we will emphasize a common principle: Protecting the rights of nations and vital infrastructure in modern wars, and at the same time developing technical, commercial and research cooperation as a definitive path to global stability.
These meetings are taking place in line with redefining the new regional and international arena with the objective of expanding the export markets of Iranian companies, connecting to the knowledge and innovation exchange network, creating paths for participation in regional project, and interacting with countries that want to transfer and use Iran's achievements and experiences.
This process has made Iran in Baku, not just a country present at the conference, but an active actor in the field of technology diplomacy.
4- Technology as right of nations
Our emphasis at the Baku conference is that the development of communications is a human right and should not be turned into a tool of pressure, sanctions, or domination. This view is not just a political position but our lived experience for other nations. Technological sanctions over the past years have attempted to limit Iran's industrial, educational, commercial, and innovative capacities, however, the result has been a leap and independence for domestic power.
Today, in line with technological diplomacy, the messages of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the world are that today Iran is an independent country in the field of communications development, has export capacity in the field of cloud networks and digital services, and has a proven indigenous model in the field of cybersecurity.
This message is an inspiring message for the nations and countries of the region and many independent countries.
5- Iran’s new technology diplomacy
Nevertheless, technology diplomacy at the Baku WTDC-25 is not the end of a technical mission, rather the beginning of a new chapter and mutual cooperation with other governments and nations in the fields of cybersecurity, the development of smart networks, the endogenous digital economy, and the digital transformation of countries.
This year's event is an opportunity for Iran to consolidate the country's technology diplomacy. We arrived in Baku with a new narrative: The narrative of a country that stood firm in the most difficult cyber war in the region and is ready to share its experience and be a partner in the development of global communications.
Last but not least, this an invitation to all government and private agencies, companies, and institutions active in the country's technology field: Iran's future path is not only the path of domestic development, it is also the path of presence in international arenas and regional and global markets, and the ICT Ministry is set to facilitate this path.