Iran’s message at WTDC-25:
Tech diplomacy returns to forefront
By Seyyed Sattar Hashemi
Iran’s ICT minister
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), which begins on Monday hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan in Baku is considered an ongoing and specialized event for many countries, a venue to exchange technical views, share experience, and review telecommunications development trends. However, for the Islamic Republic of Iran, this year’s event carries a completely different meaning.
After the 12-day US-Israel imposed war last June that targeted the country’s critical cyber infrastructure and exposed us to the most sophisticated digital attacks, WTDC-25 was the first international stage where Iran could present its narrative of resilience.
We are not simply a technical and specialized delegation representing Iran at this summit; rather, we are the bearers of the narrative of national resilience and the representative of our country’s digital resistance model, which we are narrating in plenary meeting as well as on its sidelines, in a series of high-level and intensive meetings with the Ministers of Communications of Russia, India, Malaysia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, as well as with the Secretary General and senior managers of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
1) Digital resilience
In modern world, technology is no longer on the margins of economy, culture, politics, and security; it is at the center of national power. As recent developments have shown, cyber borders are sometimes more important than land borders. The 12-day cyber war against Iran, in addition to the losses and pressures, revealed an important reality: The Islamic Republic of Iran has reached a stage of capability that not only remains resilient against large-scale attacks, but is also capable of sustaining and rebuilding the country’s communications chain by relying on indigenous infrastructure.
This experience has become the backbone of Iran’s technology diplomacy strategy today, as we arrived in Baku with full hands, with practical experience, not theoretical discourse.
2) Technology diplomacy
In today’s interconnected world, countries are more successful that can, in addition to domestic development, gain negotiating power, active presence in the technology value chain, and participate in global markets.
Technology sanctions have tried to keep Iran away from this chain over the past years, but the result was exactly the opposite: Iran continued its march on the endogenous path with strength, and we have reached a point where we are able to export technology, cloud services, network equipment, software, and digital solutions.
In such circumstances, participation in international events is not a option but a strategic necessity. WTDC-25 was an opportunity for Iran to transform itself from a beneficiary of international examples to an influential player and global model.
3- Intensive negotiations
On the sidelines of the summit, a series of important meetings are on the agenda with the ministers of communications of Russia, India, Malaysia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, as well as with the Secretary General and senior managers of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
In all these discussions, we will emphasize a common principle: Protecting the rights of nations and vital infrastructure in modern wars, and at the same time developing technical, commercial and research cooperation as a definitive path to global stability.
These meetings are taking place in line with redefining the new regional and international arena with the objective of expanding the export markets of Iranian companies, connecting to the knowledge and innovation exchange network, creating paths for participation in regional project, and interacting with countries that want to transfer and use Iran’s achievements and experiences.
This process has made Iran in Baku, not just a country present at the conference, but an active actor in the field of technology diplomacy. The West also anticipates such a move, which is why it is trying to open the door to renewed negotiations. A revived enrichment program will almost certainly heighten Western political and diplomatic pressure and could even lead to political or military threats.
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