Abstract
This study examines the impact of Iran’s innovation and technology support policies on reshaping strategic capabilities through nanotechnology. It analyzes the relationship between public policy, technological knowledge, and capability-building by tracing Iran’s nanotechnology program since the establishment of the Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council in 2003 and the adoption of successive national plans. The study employs the inductive approach, case study method, and process tracing to assess the role of institutions, laboratories, standards, intermediary bodies, and firms in linking scientific research to industry and markets. The findings show that Iranian nanotechnology policies produced partial and gradual strategic capabilities. These appeared in health through therapeutic and diagnostic products, in energy and industry through catalysts, coatings, and composite materials, and in water and environment through adsorption, treatment, and nanobubble applications. The study concludes that Iranian nanotechnology represents an accumulative sectoral capability shaped under external constraints
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