01.05.2026 New letter in Science: “Support besieged Iranian scientists”

A new letter by Reza Majdzadeh (University of Essex, UK) and Mohammad Reza Farzanegan (Marburg University, CNMS, School of Business and Economics) has been published in Science.

The letter, titled “Support besieged Iranian scientists,” discusses the multiple and reinforcing pressures currently facing Iranian scientists, including the effects of military conflict, damage to research infrastructure, disruptions to electricity and telecommunications, internet shutdowns, sanctions, financial restrictions on academic transactions, visa barriers, and growing institutional isolation.

The authors argue that this combination of factors threatens the continuity of scientific work and weakens the integration of Iranian researchers into the global scientific community. These constraints affect not only individual scholars but also universities, students, and knowledge production more broadly.

The letter also puts forward policy recommendations. These include the creation of humanitarian science corridors, ensuring reliable access to journals and databases, enabling lawful channels for academic payments, and providing targeted support for researchers operating under crisis conditions.

Citation:
Majdzadeh, R., & Farzanegan, M. R. (2026). Support besieged Iranian scientists. Science, 392, 473. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aeh3242