Belarus, Iran Explore Social Research Ties
A delegation led by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister discussed scientific co-operation at Belarus' National Academy of Sciences.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in International Relations
Belarus and Iran discussed co-operation in social and political research at a seminar held at Belarus' National Academy of Sciences in early November 2026. An Iranian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh attended the event, titled 'Belarus-Iran: Opportunities for Co-operation in Social and Political Research.'
Why it matters
NAS Chief Scientific Secretary Vasily Gursky said both countries face external pressure from sanctions, which he argued is accelerating the development of national science and industry. The seminar signals an effort to deepen academic and policy-oriented links between two states facing similar pressures.
Belarus' National Academy of Sciences engages in scientific co-operation with research institutions in more than 90 countries and hosts the office of an international association of 27 scientific bodies from 16 countries. No concrete outcomes of the Iran seminar were reported.
The players
Saeed Khatibzadeh
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the Institute for Political and International Studies, who led the Iranian delegation to the seminar.
Vasily Gursky
Chief Scientific Secretary of Belarus' National Academy of Sciences, who addressed the sanctions-related pressures facing both countries.
The details
Iran's delegation toured the NAS Permanent Exhibition of domestic scientific developments, and Khatibzadeh left a note in the NAS guest book. The seminar brought together experts from both countries to explore cooperation in social and political research.
Timeline
Early November 2026: Belarus-Iran social and political research seminar held at the National Academy of Sciences in Belarus.
Political Context
Belarus' National Academy of Sciences already hosts the office of the International Association of Academies of Sciences, placing this Iran seminar within its established multilateral research network. Officials framed the exchange around sanctions pressures, a stance that reflects the broader alignment of both governments in resisting Western economic restrictions.
Readers following Belarus-Iran relations may see more academic and policy exchanges between the two states in coming months. The seminar itself does not directly change any visas, trade rules, or public services.
The takeaway
Sanctions are prompting both Belarus and Iran to deepen their own scientific and academic capacity, and bilateral research forums like this one may become a more common way to pursue that goal.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in International Relations for context on how sanctions are shaping bilateral research and diplomacy.
