The ICT Ministry’s PR department reports that Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister for Communications and Information Technologies, while underscoring the importance of having a national satellite, stated that: “The National Satellite, as one of the programs of the new head of the ISA, should become operational through cooperation and the investment of various sectors.”
The ICT Minister highlighted space technology as the cutting edge of new technologies, saying that: “We should prepare a one year program and also the sixth development plan in the space sector, as a base for future decision-making in this field.”
While pointing out the recent remarks of His Excellency, the esteemed Supreme Leader, and also President Rouhani, he asserted that: “There is a unanimous agreement and understanding in the country regarding the importance of space technology; this technology counts as a propelling and progressive one, and through proficiency and domestication of the related activities in this sector, the rest of Iran’s scientific and industrial activities will also gain vitality.”
Dr. Vaezi described the impact of satellite technology in the operations of various departments of the ICT, adding that: “Satellite technology can be used to support the infrastructure of fiber-optic network and radio communications. In addition, you can also address the needs and requirements of organs like the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment Protection Agency, Remote Sensing, and the IRIB.
Referring to the decision of the Supreme Administrative Council for reuniting the ISA with the ICT Ministry, he included that: “The role that we have in mind for this organization is more like a supporting umbrella for all the available sectors including universities, government bodies, and the private sector in the field of space research and development.”
The ICT Minister underscored the limited budget of the ISA, stating that: “The ISA’s budget for this year and the coming years is under consideration, with the intention of helping it within the capacity of the country’s possibilities.”
Further elaborating, he added: “We are trying to support ISA and increase its budget in coordination with the Management & Planning Organization, especially by saving and economizing in certain areas.”
Dr. Vaezi also mentioned the acquisition of a number of new orbital slots, saying: “ISA should cooperate in protecting both the existing slots and also the new slots we have registered and which we intend to finalize.”
Referring to the very close and positive interaction with the Supreme Space Council which operates under the supervision of the President’s Scientific Deputy Office, he asserted that, “We have a good understanding with the President’s Scientific Deputy, and what is truly needed now is a roadmap; a roadmap to assign tasks and responsibilities and refrain from any parallel activity.”
Dr. Vaezi expressed his gratitude for the honored MP’s, especially the members of various Parliament Committees, such as Mines and Industries, and the National Security and Foreign Policy, and all those who have worked and labored in the Agency to bring it to this stage, concluding that: “God willing, through our cooperation, we shall witness the realization of all the great and noble objectives of our beloved constitution.”