Tehran and China are looking to intensify their collaboration in the technology sector, Iran’s state media said on Sunday.
Both Iran and Beijing are eyeing “closer cooperation in IT, digital economy, and AI,” the report said.
This is important because it shows how Iran is seeking to position itself regarding tech advances. It is not a major tech powerhouse. Tehran clearly wants to increase its capabilities in terms of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advances in the digital economy.
Why does this matter?
The more Iran works with China, the more it can ignore the West and Western sanctions. The more it increases its investments in tech, the more it can improve its economy.
These issues all have military and defense tie-ins as well. AI, for instance, is increasingly used to provide various aspects of autonomous operations to drones and other systems, such as missiles.
Iran’s Communications and Information Technology Minister, Sattar Hashemi, met with China’s Ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu, in Tehran on Saturday.
“Ambassador Cong highlighted the importance of cooperation in cutting edge technologies such as AI, describing it as key to the future of Tehran-Beijing relations,” Iran’s state media said.
Hashemi and Peiwu “have discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in IT, digital economy, and artificial intelligence,” it continued.
The two spoke about the importance of strategically developing bilateral relations.
“Referring to previously signed agreements between Iran and China, Hashemi reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to fulfilling these accords,” the report said.
AI, and also how it could serve as a foundation for “joint projects” was another topic of conversation between both officials, Iran’s state media said.
Peiwu “praised Iran’s advancements in communications and information technology, calling for expanded cooperation despite external pressures and challenges.”
According to the report, “Ambassador Cong... also welcomed an upcoming visit to China by the Iranian minister.”
'Driving force behind country’s development'
Concurrently, Tehran has also said that the oil industry was a driving force behind its economy.
Iran’s administration spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, said that “the oil industry is a key pillar of Iran’s economy,” a report in Iran said.
She described it as “the driving force behind the nation’s development and [as] a crucial contributor to its knowledge-based companies,” it added.
This took place during the 29th Iran Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition in Tehran in Iran.
“After visiting the booths and companies present at the oil exhibition, I am proud to be an Iranian. Today, I witnessed extraordinary advancements up close... the role of technical knowledge and young engineers is clearly visible,” Mohajerani said.
“The oil and gas industry is the driving force behind the country’s development, and it plays a major role in the economy. Also, with the links this industry has established with knowledge-based companies, it can play a fundamental role in economic growth and other sectors,” she added.