US sanctions cripple Iranian education, prompting backlash over language test bans

As part of a wider “Operation Economic Outcast,” the U.S. expanded secondary sanctions to five additional sectors and withdrew education-related licences, effectively cutting off academic cooperation with Iran. The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced indefinite suspensions of licences covering university exchanges, nonprofit education services, sports activities, conference support and certain personal remittances, with a brief wind-down period ending on September 8.

Following the Treasury’s directive, Educational Testing Service halted TOEFL and GRE testing in Iran, and Duolingo stopped offering its English Test to anyone presenting an Iranian government-issued ID, even if they are outside the country. Iranian students voiced panic and anger online, noting the need to travel to neighboring nations for testing and the broader impact on scholarship and employment prospects. Officials argue the sanctions aim to isolate the Iranian government and the IRGC, but critics say they disproportionately punish ordinary citizens seeking education abroad.