TEHRAN — Iran’s Ministry of Health claimed to have made a medical breakthrough with a formula to control symptoms of AIDS.

The state-controlled IRNA news agency quoted an unidentified ministry employee as saying, “The research studies to find out a formula to cure AIDS was initiated during the tenure of two former health ministers and have led to useful results.”

Former Minister of Health and Medical Education Dr. Mohammad Farhadi said the chemical and herbal treatment appeared effective on other immune disorders as well.

“The theory was to determine whether or not it is possible to boost the immunity system of the body. Some 60 projects were initiated to attain the result,” Farhadi said in the IRNA report.

The announcement came a day before an international meeting to discuss U.N. sanctions against Iran for refusing to curtail the enrichment of uranium or allow its monitoring.