Iran to establish quantum communications and atomic clock laboratories

Iran will open a national quantum communications laboratory and the country’s first atomic clock laboratory. This was announced by Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, Hossein Afshin, according to Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

The new quantum communications laboratory is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications. Its mission is to develop and implement secure communications technologies. At the same time, work is underway to establish the atomic clock laboratory, highly precise measurement systems essential for advancing quantum technologies.

“Developing laboratory infrastructure is the first and fundamental step in any new scientific field. It allows genuine science to be distinguished from pseudoscience and lays the foundation for practical technological development,” Afshin emphasised.

Quantum communications are noted as one of the most promising areas of quantum technology. They provide a fundamentally new level of protection for transmitted information and are considered strategically important for national security.

To support the sector’s development, a number of measures have already been implemented. Funding for quantum projects has been increased two to threefold compared with other scientific fields. Specialised quantum subjects have been introduced at 12 universities across the country. Over the past year, around US$3 million has been allocated to the development of laboratory infrastructure at leading universities.

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