Tehran:Ali-Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has criticized what he describes as "scientific apartheid," claiming it is deeply rooted in international power relations and the uneven distribution of scientific and technological opportunities.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Velayati's comments were part of a message delivered at the fifth International Conference of the Global Alliance Against Scientific Apartheid. The conference, themed "For Justice in Science and Technology in the New Global Order," highlighted how Iranian scientists continued their work despite years of sanctions and conflict.

Velayati emphasized the importance of knowledge and scholarship in Islam, arguing that no other religion places as much emphasis on these values. He stated that there is no historical evidence of anti-science sentiment within Islamic teachings.

He also highlighted Iran's significant contributions to fields such as algebra, trigonometry, and astronomy, noting that these scientific advancements were shared globally, influencing Western scientific progress.