The answer is Yes,,,, Iran does have a "robust manufacturing base"
From 1974-1979 I was employed as a consultant in industrial management to Iranian industry and I very much doubt if it's industries have deteriorated much since I left.
e.g: The most modern textile mills in the world were in Iran... They had and still have automobile factories.
Then add the steel mills in Isfahan along with the first fully automated sugar mills and in the far south east the world's 2nd largest open pit copper mine and refineries which have been in production since 1977 and the list goes on and on. Granted some of the technology probably is out of date because of the sanctions, but that is in process of changing with the lifting of the sanctions.
Although from the international media one would not know that Iran differs from most of the Middle East countries because of it's industrial base... in addition to oil.
Further... Iran has international level universities which are tuition free. A list of the top colleges and universities can be found @
The answer is Yes,,,, Iran does have a "robust manufacturing base"
From 1974-1979 I was employed as a consultant in industrial management to Iranian industry and I very much doubt if it's industries have deteriorated much since I left.
e.g: The most modern textile mills in the world were in Iran... They had and still have automobile factories.
Then add the steel mills in Isfahan along with the first fully automated sugar mills and in the far south east the world's 2nd largest open pit copper mine and refineries which have been in production since 1977 and the list goes on and on. Granted some of the technology probably is out of date because of the sanctions, but that is in process of changing with the lifting of the sanctions.
Although from the international media one would not know that Iran differs from most of the Middle East countries because of it's industrial base... in addition to oil.
Further... Iran has international level universities which are tuition free. A list of the top colleges and universities can be found @