Introduction: A rapid progress has been made in all branches of science and technology over the past two decades. This study evaluates the scientific output of Iran in this period.

Methods: The data used in this article have been extracted from ISI-Thomson ^® database using Rose-net information network on the Internet. Science production in Iran has been reviewed from 1970 to 2002 and compared with 15 other countries.

Results: Science output in Iran had a rising trend from 1970 to 1980 however, it declined and then remained steady as the Iraqi war was imposed on Iran, until it gained a sharp rising trend again some years after the war. A comparison of Iran with other 15 countries until the year 2000 shows that these 16 countries in total have 69.2% of the science output of the world in ISI. The United States, Britain and Germany stand atop the list with 33.2, 7.8 and 7 percent, respectively, and Iran with 0.12% stands on thirteenth place among these 16 countries. China, India, and South Korea maintain a considerable difference and a relatively higher position in terms of scientific output as compared with Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Kuwait and Iraq. Iran is ahead of Pakistan, Kuwait and Iraq, which produce a cumulative 0.16% of the science among these 16 countries. Comparing the ratio of science output to GNP, Iran stands on thirteenth place among 16 countries in the year 2000.

Conclusion: Iran has had a considerable growth in presenting articles after the Iraq-Iran war, which marks the period of stability and development.

Hakim Research Journal 2007 10(2): 8- 14.