Key facts
- US sanctions have indefinitely suspended General License G, impacting Iranian students' ability to take English proficiency exams.
- Iranian passport holders are barred from registering for TOEFL and IELTS exams, even when attempting to take them abroad.
- ETS has also suspended the GRE for Iranians, and Duolingo has stopped enrolling them.
- These language certificates are essential for visa applications to Western universities.
- The US Treasury, under Secretary Scott Bessent, orchestrated the suspension of General License G.
- European countries like Norway, Germany, and Switzerland have also rejected or stalled Iranian graduate students.
US sanctions have intensified their impact on Iranian civilians, specifically targeting the education sector by indefinitely suspending General License G, a 2014 carve-out that previously allowed US universities and testing bodies to provide educational services within Iran. This action, orchestrated by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Office of Foreign Assets Control on August 24, has led to the cancellation of crucial English language proficiency exams like TOEFL and IELTS for Iranian passport holders, both within Iran and abroad.
Students report being surprised and shocked by the cancellations, finding it unaffordable to travel to other countries for the exams, especially given the disruptions caused by recent wars and the impact of sanctions on their finances. The TOEFL, administered by ETS, and the IELTS, run by the British Council, have barred Iranian registrants. ETS has also suspended the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for Iranians, and Duolingo has ceased enrolling them. These language certificates are vital for visa applications to prestigious European and American universities, leaving many students with existing offers in a state of uncertainty.
The Trump administration's move is seen as an attempt to pressure the Islamic Republic by targeting its youth, with the hope of inciting revolt. However, the outcome may be viewed favorably by Iranian authorities who are concerned about the brain drain of their most gifted students. Estimates suggest up to 80 percent of science Olympiad medallists and top university entrance exam scorers leave the country. Institutions like Sharif University of Technology have historically been pipelines to elite Western academia for engineering graduates.
The impact of these sanctions extends beyond Iranian teenagers' immediate educational aspirations. For decades, US firms have benefited from the influx of talent from Iran, particularly in fields like semiconductor research and medicine. The article suggests that within a few years, the effects could be felt in the US, and if Europe does not find ways around US restrictions, this talent may shift towards destinations like Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Kuala Lumpur.
Data indicates a significant increase in Iranian student visa refusals, exceeding 40 percent, coupled with prolonged administrative processing delays. This trend is mirrored in Europe, where countries like Norway, Germany, and Switzerland have also stalled or rejected Iranian graduate students, citing concerns that their education could bolster Iran's technological capabilities. This tightening of entry policies coincides with a broader political shift to the right across Europe and cuts to humanities and social sciences research in Western universities, which are increasingly aligning with the military-industrial complex.
The article notes that English language education in Iran is imbued with geopolitical tension and personal desire, referencing Sanaz Toossi's Pulitzer-winning play "English." The ban on English proficiency exams lands on ground already prepared by the Islamic Republic's own efforts to curtail Western educational influence, including the Academy of Persian Language and Literature's promotion of Persian coinages and restrictions on foreign language teaching. The Ministry of Intelligence had previously banned collaboration with the British Council, viewing it as a covert espionage network.
Despite these measures, the article highlights a paradox: the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who oversaw these restrictions, was himself a literary figure who read Western novels and hosted literary gatherings. The piece concludes by questioning how Iranians will continue their educational pursuits when Washington weaponizes knowledge, referencing the apocryphal saying, "seek knowledge, even as far as China."