Thousands of Iranian students have lost access to the language testing services they need to secure places to study at foreign universities after Tehran was hit with a fresh wave of US sanctions.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control has suspended General License G, which has allowed US providers to offer “certain educational services” to Iranian students and universities since 2014.
Educational Testing Service (ETS), which runs the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), is one of the organisations that has been forced to cancel exams. It said that all affected test appointments within Iran will be cancelled, and it will contact test takers directly regarding applicable refunds and next steps.
“This restriction applies to testing within Iran. Iranian nationals can continue to take the TOEFL and GRE tests outside of Iran, where testing services and appointments are available," an ETS spokesperson said.
“We recognise the disruption and uncertainty this regulatory change creates for learners pursuing educational opportunities. ETS remains committed to supporting access to education for test takers around the world and is actively working to understand the scope and duration of this change and pursue any available paths to resume testing services in Iran. At this time, there is no confirmed timeline for when testing in Iran may resume.”
