AGP Executive Report

Digital Infrastructure: Iranian officials have threatened Gulf undersea cables, data centers and AI facilities if fighting resumes. Experts warn damage could disrupt communications and commerce well beyond Iran, including in Iraq. AI in Warfare: A former Pentagon civilian-harm official says basic checks were missed before an AI-assisted target list included a school in Minab, underscoring the need for human oversight. Iranian Science: An Iranian researcher was named among the world’s most-cited scientists, while researchers reported discovering a new praying mantis species in Iran.

Digital Access: U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to expand internet freedom for Iranians, as Tehran’s restrictions on satellite internet remain a concern. AI Infrastructure: Nvidia says Gulf states are pressing ahead with AI plans despite the regional conflict, while Iran has warned it could target data centers and undersea cables if fighting resumes. Nuclear Science: Iran’s atomic energy chief says the country’s nuclear science and technology now rival those of developed nations—a claim made amid international scrutiny of its nuclear program. Space Research: Iran ranks among 12 countries with diverse space capabilities, and its space agency uses astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits.

AI & Influence: OpenAI says Iranian operatives used ChatGPT and fake bylines to place fabricated stories in real news outlets. A separate warning says generative AI could help Iran and other governments sharpen influence campaigns ahead of the US midterms, though it’s unclear whether they are doing so. Digital Infrastructure: Tehran has threatened Gulf data centers and AI facilities if US attacks resume, and is weighing permits for undersea internet cables in its waters. Iran has also called Starlink a legitimate target if used for military purposes, as it tightens restrictions on satellite internet. Space & Nuclear Science: Iran’s space agency says it uses astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits. The country’s atomic energy chief claims Iran’s nuclear science capabilities rival those of developed nations. Health Technology: Iran plans to equip five hospitals with surgical robots, while an Iranian physician has won a WHO award for cancer control.

Nuclear Science: Iran’s atomic energy chief says the country’s nuclear science and technology now rival those of developed nations. Digital Access: Tehran is tightening controls on Starlink, calling it a potential tool of war, and is considering permit rules for major tech companies’ undersea internet cables in its waters. AI and Influence: OpenAI says it disrupted Iranian-linked influence efforts that used AI and fake bylines to place material in real news outlets. Space and Health: Iran is listed among 12 countries with broad space capabilities, while its space agency uses astronomical tools to track satellite orbits; separately, five Iranian hospitals are set to receive surgical robots.

Internet Controls: Iran’s cyber chief says authorities will intensify efforts to disrupt Starlink, which Tehran calls a “tool of war,” and warns of further internet restrictions. Pressure on Tech Firms: Iranian startups and online businesses reportedly face forced payments from security agencies, with threats of closure for those who refuse. Space and Medicine: Iran’s Space Agency uses astronomical tools to track satellite orbits, while the country plans to equip five hospitals with surgical robots. An Iranian physician also received a WHO award for cancer control. Research: Iranian researchers report that laser-assisted hatching improved pregnancy and live-birth rates; separate research is examining an ancient Iranian fruit’s potential role in treating heart failure.

Nuclear Technology: Iran’s atomic energy chief claimed the country has reached the level of developed nations in nuclear science, citing homegrown industrial control systems and instruments after foreign suppliers refused support. He again rejected calls to end uranium enrichment. Digital Infrastructure: Tehran has threatened Gulf data centres, AI facilities and undersea cables if attacks resume, while an Iranian minister said a satellite internet framework is nearing completion. Iran is also considering permits for undersea cables crossing its waters. AI and Cybersecurity: OpenAI says it disrupted Iranian-linked influence operations that used AI and fake bylines to place material in real media outlets; a separate report linked Iranian cyberespionage to a breach of a Kurdish government cloud system. Space and Health: Iran ranks among 12 countries with diverse space capabilities, and its space agency uses astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits. The country also plans to equip five hospitals with surgical robots.

Connectivity and AI Infrastructure: Iran is considering permits for foreign tech firms’ undersea cables through its waters and has threatened Gulf data centres and AI facilities if US attacks resume. Cybersecurity: OpenAI says Iranian-linked influence campaigns used ChatGPT and fake bylines to place material in Western outlets; separate reporting links an Iranian cyberespionage campaign to a breach of a Kurdistan government cloud service. Space and Medicine: Iran’s Space Agency is using astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits, while five hospitals are set to receive surgical robots. Iranian researchers also report that laser-assisted hatching improved pregnancy and live-birth rates.

Medical Technology: Iran plans to equip five hospitals with surgical robots, bringing advanced tools into more operating rooms. Urban Science: A satellite study of 465 major cities found some areas in Iran among the world’s fastest-sinking, with groundwater extraction and urban development identified as contributing factors. Cybersecurity: OpenAI says Iranian-linked operators used ChatGPT and fake bylines in an effort to place influence content in media outlets. Space Research: Iran’s Space Agency is using astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits, applying sky observations to spacecraft tracking.

Digital Finance: Iran cut banking access for five crypto exchanges amid a dispute over user data. Health Tech: The country plans to equip five hospitals with surgical robots; separate Iranian research found laser-assisted hatching improved pregnancy and live-birth rates. Academic Cooperation: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Turkmenistan’s Magtymguly State University signed an agreement covering academic exchanges and joint initiatives. AI and Security: OpenAI said an Iran-linked influence operation used ChatGPT to create fake journalist personas and pitch stories to media outlets. Tehran also threatened US-linked data centers, AI infrastructure and undersea cables if fighting resumes. Space Research: Iran’s Space Agency says it uses astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits.

AI and Digital Infrastructure: Iran’s top security official warned that US-linked data centres, AI facilities and undersea communications cables across the region could be targeted if war resumes, widening threats to critical technology infrastructure. Nuclear Technology: Iran’s atomic chief said the country would not abandon its nuclear technology under foreign pressure. Space Research: Iran’s Space Agency is using astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits. Research Partnerships: Iranian and Turkmen universities signed agreements for student exchanges, joint research and technical cooperation. Health Science: Iranian researchers reported that laser-assisted hatching improved pregnancy and live-birth rates.

Nuclear Science: Iran’s atomic chief said the country would not abandon its nuclear technology under foreign pressure, insisting it would continue advancing despite sanctions and attacks on its facilities. Space Technology: Iran’s Space Agency is using astronomical tools to determine satellite orbits, a practical step in operating its space program. Cybersecurity: A report on hacked security cameras describes how Iranian-linked groups have accessed cameras in Israel, turning everyday devices into potential surveillance tools. OpenAI also says an Iran-origin influence campaign used ChatGPT to prepare fake bylines and place articles in real news outlets. Medical Technology: Iran has opened its first cancer diagnosis and treatment center for children.

AI Safety: A study of more than 130 AI models found that removing safeguards sharply increased their ability to answer requests tied to terrorism. Researchers said they found no evidence that extremist groups were using the tested models. Iranian Networks: VPN-over-DNS activity in Iran generated 40 billion DNS observations during the military conflict, according to a new report. Iranian Research: Scientists at the University of Kurdistan and Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences found that chlorpromazine can help drive the electrochemical oxidation of toxic sulfide and thiocyanate. Space Technology: Iran says it is planning a satellite network able to detect objects as small as one meter.

AI and Innovation: President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iran to make better use of artificial intelligence and other modern technologies to strengthen research and industry. Missile and Drone Production: Western officials say Iran has retained the ability to manufacture missiles and drones and replenish its stocks despite months of strikes; the claims underscore the role of domestic defense production in the conflict. Caspian Environment: Kazakhstan called for international projects to protect the Caspian Sea, including restoring river flows and wetlands and improving water infrastructure, with scientific expertise playing a key role. Space Research: Iran plans a satellite network capable of detecting objects as small as one metre, according to a report this week. Medical Science: Iranian researchers reported that laser-assisted hatching improved pregnancy and live-birth rates in a study.

Caspian Research: Iran and four other coastal states agreed to create a commission, including scientists, to investigate the Caspian Sea’s falling levels and propose joint measures. Its first meeting is planned for Azerbaijan in 2027. Medical Technology: Iranian researchers say laser-assisted hatching improved pregnancy and live-birth rates, pointing to a possible advance in fertility treatment. AI and Influence: OpenAI says it shut down accounts linked to Iran and Russia that allegedly used ChatGPT in influence campaigns, including to produce fake media content. Space: Iran plans a satellite network capable of detecting objects about one meter across. Defense Industry: Iran’s defense ministry says weapons production rose 2.5-fold after the war, with about 9,000 knowledge-based companies contributing to the supply chain.

AI and Security: Iran’s supreme leader has called for wider use of AI in police data analysis, while OpenAI says it banned accounts tied to an Iranian influence operation that used ChatGPT to produce fake-journalist articles for overseas outlets. Space Technology: Iran is planning a satellite network capable of spotting objects as small as one metre and has completed its Pars 2 satellite ahead of a planned launch. Science Cooperation: President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed a “CIS+1” format for Iran and Commonwealth of Independent States members, with science and technology among the areas for joint work.

Defense Technology: Iran’s Defense Ministry says weapons production rose 2.5-fold after the war, with about 9,000 private, knowledge-based companies contributing to the expanded supply network. Healthcare: Iran has opened its first cancer diagnosis and treatment center for children. An Iranian study also found that four in ten COVID-19 chest CT scans may have been medically unnecessary. Space: Iran says it has restored satellite-development infrastructure damaged during the war, while the Pars 2 satellite is reportedly complete and awaiting launch. AI and Influence: OpenAI says it banned accounts linked to Iran and Russia that used ChatGPT in covert influence operations.