Despite the complex and often adversarial relationship between the governments of Iran and the United States, the countries’ scientists have found opportunities to cooperate on important public health projects. Irene Jillson, a professor at Georgetown University’s School of Nursing and Health Studies, describes the fruits of these efforts in an article in the latest edition of Science & Diplomacy.

In a statement jointly published in Science and Nature this week, 40 influenza virus researchers announced that the voluntary pause on certain types of H5N1 avian influenza research should end in countries where the aims of this moratorium have been met and authorities have reached decisions about how best to conduct such work safely.