Australia (Commonwealth)_ In a recent revelation, The Guardian has uncovered an international collaboration involving academics from the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, who collaborated with Sharif University of Technology in Tehran on research related to drone technology. The joint research, published in 2023 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), has raised concerns due to the Iranian university’s close ties to the military and its status under financial sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom.
The study, exploring the use of drones as communication hubs in wireless networks, has garnered attention for its potential military applications. Conor Healy, the director of government research at IPVM, a US publication focused on security technology, emphasized the direct implications of the technology presented in the paper for military use. He noted that the ability to establish new communication channels in the face of adversary jamming is particularly relevant to drone warfare scenarios, such as those witnessed in Ukraine.
Robert Czulda, a professor in international and political studies at the University of Łódź in Poland, expressed concern over the research, deeming it potentially “very dangerous.” He criticized the involvement of any university in projects with applications related to communications or signal repeating, citing the ease with which such systems could be adapted for military purposes.
The collaborative effort included researchers from the University of Southampton, the University of New South Wales in Sydney, and the University of Houston. Notably, Sharif University’s inclusion has sparked controversy, given its association with the development of Iranian-made drones, a program reportedly supported by the university.
Despite Sharif University being subject to financial sanctions from the EU and the UK, the research received funding from government-backed research councils in the UK, EU, and Australia. This has raised questions about the oversight and potential risks associated with international collaborations involving institutions under sanctions.
Daniel Roth from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a US watchdog group, characterized the collaboration as “egregious” and highlighted concerns about academic independence within Iranian universities. He emphasized that Iranian universities, including Sharif, operate under the direction of the regime, particularly in areas deemed strategically important, such as drone technology.
A decree issued by the Iranian government in 2021 further underscores the government’s directive for collaborations with national and international university departments, specifically targeting automated and unmanned equipment, including drones.
In response to the revelation, the University of Southampton announced that it had ceased all formal and informal research collaborations with Iran since the publication of the research. The decision followed a review prompted by updates to government advice, and the university asserted its commitment to adhering to all UK government advice regarding collaborations with sanctioned entities.
Similarly, the University of Houston claimed no record of the research and clarified that the involved academics were not currently employed or affiliated with the institution. The university affirmed its commitment to complying with export control laws and regulations.
The University of New South Wales denied direct funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for the research but acknowledged that the academic involved had received funding from the ARC in the broader area of drone-based communication.
This revelation comes amid growing global initiatives to scrutinize and regulate international academic collaborations that may contribute to advancing Iran’s strategic priorities, particularly in sensitive areas such as drone technology. The Guardian has not found evidence suggesting that the research violated any sanctions or laws, but the incident highlights the challenges associated with collaborative research involving institutions under international sanctions.
