I haven't read the whole thread, so maybe it was already posted:
Iran showing fastest scientific growth of any country
Iran showing fastest scientific growth of any country - science-in-society - 18 February 2010 - New Scientist
And here the study, read the chapter about the Middle East:
http://www.science-metrix.com/30years-Paper.pdf
Turkey is still ahead in quantity of publications, but Iran shows a faster growth.
Iran showing fastest scientific growth of any country
Iran showing fastest scientific growth of any country - science-in-society - 18 February 2010 - New Scientist
And here the study, read the chapter about the Middle East:
http://www.science-metrix.com/30years-Paper.pdf
Turkey is still ahead in quantity of publications, but Iran shows a faster growth.