Detailed overview
Iran does not currently have one comprehensive AI Act equivalent to the EU AI Act. Its AI framework is based on national AI policy documents, centralised government coordination, AI development institutions, data and cybersecurity rules, and sector-specific regulation.
The main AI policy document is the National Artificial Intelligence Document of the Islamic Republic of Iran, approved by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and announced for implementation in 2024. The official legal information portal states that the resolution on the National AI Document was communicated by letter No. 1403/7816 dated 30 Tir 1403.
Iran has also approved a government document on the Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence Technology, adopted by the Council of Ministers on 24 Ordibehesht 1404. This document creates a government coordination structure for AI development and application. Its stated vision is for Iran to reach first place in economic, scientific and technological AI capability in South-West Asia and to become one of the top ten countries in the world in the field of AI, with emphasis on AI-related businesses, investment, GDP contribution and AI exports.
The Iranian AI development document establishes a coordinating body for AI technology and application. Its mission is to coordinate with government agencies and the private sector, strengthen knowledge foundations, develop human capital, provide necessary infrastructure, remove barriers for AI-related businesses, encourage innovation and expand AI application across the country.
The document identifies several core objectives: expanding AI use in strategic technologies and priority problems, improving data production, data security and data resilience, facilitating data and big-data exchange, developing computing and technical infrastructure, strengthening AI skills, supporting knowledge-based businesses, increasing the AI market share, promoting public AI literacy and supporting safe and responsible AI use.
Iran's AI policy also addresses access to public data, national AI marketplaces, AI infrastructure, personal-data security, privacy, AI-specific regulatory sandboxes, standards for data ownership and exchange, safety and security standards for AI systems and services, and qualification criteria for contractors, supervisors and consultants working on AI projects.
For businesses, Iran should be treated as an AI policy and governance jurisdiction, not as an EU-style AI Act jurisdiction. There is no general statutory classification of prohibited AI and high-risk AI comparable to the EU framework. However, AI projects may be affected by government AI coordination rules, public-sector procurement requirements, data rules, cybersecurity obligations, sectoral regulation and future implementing instruments.
There is no single general AI-specific penalty table in Iran equivalent to the EU AI Act. Penalties depend on the underlying law breached, including data protection, cybersecurity, cybercrime, consumer protection, sectoral licensing, public procurement, national security, intellectual property or criminal law.
Practical requirements & details
Sourced from the National Artificial Intelligence Document of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, 2024) and the Government Document on the Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence Technology (Council of Ministers, 24 Ordibehesht 1404).
National AI Document (2024)
- Approved by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.
- Announced for implementation in 2024.
- Communicated by letter No. 1403/7816 dated 30 Tir 1403.
Government AI Development & Application Document
- Adopted by the Council of Ministers on 24 Ordibehesht 1404.
- Vision: first place in AI capability in South-West Asia and one of the top ten countries globally.
- Emphasis on AI-related businesses, investment, GDP contribution and AI exports.
AI coordination body
- Coordinates with government agencies and the private sector.
- Strengthens knowledge foundations, develops human capital, provides infrastructure.
- Removes barriers for AI businesses, encourages innovation and expands AI application across the country.
Core policy objectives
- Expanding AI use in strategic technologies and priority problems.
- Improving data production, data security and data resilience.
- Facilitating data and big-data exchange.
- Developing computing and technical infrastructure.
- Strengthening AI skills and supporting knowledge-based businesses.
- Promoting public AI literacy and safe and responsible AI use.
Additional policy areas
- Access to public data, national AI marketplaces and AI infrastructure.
- Personal-data security and privacy.
- AI-specific regulatory sandboxes.
- Standards for data ownership and exchange; safety and security standards for AI systems and services.
- Qualification criteria for contractors, supervisors and consultants working on AI projects.
Penalties
- There is no AI-specific penalty table equivalent to the EU AI Act.
- Penalties depend on the underlying law breached — typically data protection, cybersecurity, consumer protection, sectoral licensing, public procurement, intellectual property or criminal law.
- AI compliance therefore depends on the sector and the legal effect of the system, not on a standalone AI statute.