The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has suspended a license that, since 2014, had permitted the provision of certain educational services and the administration of international exams for individuals residing in Iran.
As a result of this decision, Iranians’ access to certain exams and educational services has faced restrictions. The Duolingo English Test has been suspended for Iranian users, and ambiguity and limitations have also arisen regarding the continued administration of exams such as the TOEFL and GRE.
This decision is part of the intensification of the U.S. sanctions policy against the Islamic Republic. At the same time, the policies of the Islamic Republic and its ongoing tensions with the international community have also led to the expansion of sanctions and increased pressure on people’s daily lives over the past years.
The consequences of this situation have once again fallen on citizens who play no role in government decisions. The restriction of language exams and university services can directly impact students’ educational opportunities, university admissions, and academic futures.
From a human rights perspective, sanctions should not be implemented in a manner that disproportionately restricts ordinary people’s access to education and academic opportunities.