New United States sanctions against Iran have created significant obstacles for Iranian students aspiring to study abroad, impacting their access to essential standardized tests required for international university admissions. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) indefinitely suspended General License G on August 24, a move that has disrupted academic exchanges, admissions services, and the administration of standardized exams.
The Chenab Times has learned that the suspension of General License G, which had been in place since 2014, eliminates the legal framework that previously allowed U.S. universities, testing companies, and other American entities to offer a range of educational services to Iranian nationals. This authorization had specifically permitted U.S. persons worldwide to administer professional certification and university entrance examinations, including standardized multiple-choice tests, to individuals in Iran and those ordinarily residing abroad. It also covered services necessary for admission to U.S. universities.
The immediate impact of this decision is already being felt by students. Two major Iranian test centers reported that TOEFL iBT and GRE exams have been suspended across the country. One center indicated that all Educational Testing Service (ETS) tests scheduled for the week were canceled without prior notice, while another stated that new registrations are unavailable until further notice. ETS, the U.S. organization responsible for TOEFL and GRE, had not initially issued a public statement confirming the suspension, but reports from test centers suggest a significant disruption.
The Duolingo English Test has also announced that it will cease serving individuals residing in Iran or holding Iranian identification documents starting September 1. This adds to the growing uncertainty for thousands of Iranian students who have been preparing for these tests for months, in some cases years, to pursue higher education abroad.
Adding to the challenges, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a non-U.S. alternative, is also not being administered inside Iran. While IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and thus not directly subject to the U.S. sanctions suspension, it had already ceased testing within Iran on January 31, 2026, due to separate financial and regulatory issues. This requires Iranian applicants to travel to neighboring countries to take the exam, incurring additional costs and logistical complexities.
The suspension of General License G is part of a broader U.S. strategy to intensify economic pressure on Iran. The U.S. Treasury has allowed transactions necessary to wind down activities previously covered by the license until September 8. After this date, any services previously authorized under the license will require a new authorization or a specific license from the Treasury Department, a process that introduces further ambiguity and potential delays for students.
Human rights organizations have criticized the U.S. administration’s decision, arguing that such sanctions disproportionately affect ordinary citizens and restrict their access to education and academic opportunities. The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) has urged the U.S. administration to rescind measures that harm Iranian students, highlighting that these policy changes create overlapping barriers, including existing travel bans that hinder visa acquisition for Iranian nationals.
The situation is particularly concerning given the long-standing difficulties faced by Iranian students seeking to study abroad. These have included banking discrimination, where U.S. banks have often refused services to Iranian students due to concerns about complying with sanctions, and restrictions on access to certain technologies. The cumulative effect of these sanctions and previous policies creates a formidable set of challenges for Iranian youth aiming for international academic pursuits.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary has described the current campaign as an “economic onslaught” targeting the country’s international financial and economic connections. However, critics argue that these measures have no discernible impact on the Iranian government and instead impose significant burdens on American entities and, most acutely, on Iranian students seeking to advance their education and futures globally. The uncertainty surrounding these testing platforms leaves thousands of Iranian students in a precarious position, potentially impacting their academic aspirations and future career paths.
Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.