"To go from the point that I didn’t imagine meeting these people to the point where someday I hold a medal myself — I just couldn’t imagine that this would come true."

"I read all these books and I had the feeling that just reading things is not enough. I also wanted to create my own stuff, to create something new."

"In Tehran university, at the math club, where I was studying the pictures of Fields medalists were lining the walls. I looked at them and said to myself, ‘Will I ever meet one of these people?’ At that time in Iran, I couldn’t even know that I’d be able to go to the West."

"I think it's rarely about what you actually learn in class it's mostly about things that you stay motivated to go and continue to do on your own.""

"It's not only the question, but the way you try to solve it."

"The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers."

"I don’t think that everyone should become a mathematician, but I do believe that many students don’t give mathematics a real chance."

"We oppose the West's efforts to gain a monopoly in nuclear fuel, and in nuclear industry and science. I believe that the Iranian success is a great success for the Islamic world."

"Under the present circumstances, no Western country will be willing to share technology of uranium enrichment with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others. Meanwhile, they have a big brother to the north, which, praise God, has technology at its disposal. In my opinion, this happens to be a strong point. We can establish an excellent consortium with the Gulf countries, and produce nuclear energy. We will share this technology with them."