Sanctions By Any Other Name: The Educational Toll of US-Iran Tensions

The latest salvo in the economic war between the United States and Iran has left many Iranians feeling unfairly targeted, particularly when it comes to education. The Trump administration’s sanctions may have been designed to strangle the Iranian government’s economic lifelines, but their effects are being felt far more broadly – and by civilians, not just officials.

Tehran has long been subject to a regime of sanctions that have crippled its economy and exacerbated poverty among its citizens. The latest measures take this campaign to new heights, with restrictions on education and sport set to disproportionately impact the country’s youth. By targeting access to education, the US is effectively stifling Iranians’ prospects for building better lives.

The suspension of General License G has already begun to have a tangible impact on thousands of young Iranians who rely on language tests like TOEFL and GRE to secure admission to top universities abroad. Educational Testing Service (ETS) has been forced to cancel test appointments in Iran, leaving many students without access to these exams.

Duolingo’s decision to ban English language tests for all users holding Iranian ID numbers – even those living outside the country – is a particularly egregious example of how these sanctions can have far-reaching consequences. By effectively barring Iranians from taking language proficiency tests, Duolingo has denied them access to a key tool that could help them secure better employment or participate in international academic programs.

These measures are being implemented quietly, unlike previous waves of restrictions, which at least had the benefit of clarity and transparency. The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has indefinitely suspended several key general licenses that permitted limited cooperation between American institutions and their Iranian counterparts – a move that will undoubtedly have significant consequences for civilians.

The language used by OFAC to justify these measures is telling: “to sever every economic lifeline sustaining Iran’s government and the IRGC.” However, what this really amounts to is an attempt to strangle the life out of Iran’s civilian population. By targeting education and sport – two areas essential to any country’s development – the US is effectively crippling the very things that might help Iranians build better lives.

Looking back on the history of sanctions reveals that this approach has never been particularly effective in achieving its stated goals. Instead of driving Iran to the negotiating table or forcing it to change its behavior, these measures have only served to fuel resentment and reinforce a sense of grievance among Iranians. By targeting civilians rather than officials, the US is perpetuating a cycle of violence that will be difficult to break.

The consequences of these sanctions will be felt far beyond the borders of Iran itself. As the global community grapples with the implications of this latest development, it’s clear: it’s time to re-examine our assumptions about what sanctions can and cannot achieve – and whether they’re ever truly worth the cost.

The future of education in a world where US-Iran tensions continue to simmer will be shaped by more than just policy decisions. It will also depend on our willingness to challenge these measures, hold our leaders accountable for their actions, and push for more inclusive and effective solutions that prioritize the needs of civilians rather than officials. Only then can we hope to build a brighter future – not just for Iranians, but for all those whose lives are being shaped by this ongoing conflict.