# Trump Sanctions Block Iranian Students' Education > Iranian students face canceled exams as U.S. sanctions disrupt education. - Title: Trump Sanctions Block Iranian Students' Education · Newsweek - Summary: Iranian students face canceled exams as U.S. sanctions disrupt education. U.S. sanctions suspend TOEFL and LSAT access for Iranian students, halting… - Keywords: iranian students, toefl, lsat, us sanctions, trump administration, education, iran, sanctions, academic testing, iranian diaspora, university admissions, nfl - Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/trump-sanctions-leave-iranian-students-lost-in-the-middle-12454898 - Published: 2026-09-17T14:59:30+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: iranian students, toefl, lsat, us sanctions, trump administration, education, iran, sanctions, academic testing, iranian diaspora, university admissions, nfl ## Iranian Student's Dream Bahar, a mid-20s Iranian engineer, wanted to study data science abroad but now faces canceled exams. > I'm really looking for other opportunities because in Iran we really face difficulties and education is my only way out to the world that is free and I can do whatever I want ## TOEFL Cancellation U.S. sanctions canceled Bahar's TOEFL exam in Iran on August 25. > Her exam had been canceled and would no longer be offered in Iran ## Education Uncertainty Thousands of Iranians face stalled university plans amid U.S.-Iran conflict. > Aspiring engineers, doctors, lawyers, and researchers are caught in the middle of a geopolitical standoff between Trump and Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ## TOEFL Access Problem Iranian students need costly travel to take TOEFL exams abroad. > For many Iranian families, already grappling with sanctions, inflation and a weakened Iranian rial, the expense is out of reach ## LSAT Restrictions Iranian dual citizens face locked LSAT accounts under new sanctions. > Folks who are US citizens or lawfully living in the US were denied service because they also identified as Iranian nationals ## Shirin Basiri's Case Shirin Basiri, a Canadian-Iranian, lost LSAT access after September 9 email suspension. > So anyone who had anything about Iran on their profile got this email ## LSAT Recovery Basiri regained LSAT access after submitting Canadian passport proof. > Several hours later, she said, LSAC restored access to her account and unlocked her exam ## ETS Response ETS paused TOEFL and GRE tests in Iran due to U.S. sanctions. > ETS has paused administration of the TOEFL and GRE tests within Iran effective immediately ## Sanctions Impact Iranian students report losing future opportunities due to exam cancellations. > Some of her friends in Iran, including highly qualified applicants like Bahar, need only an English-language certificate to secure spots at foreign universities ## Diaspora Challenges Iranian diaspora faces similar barriers to academic testing. > The problem we're seeing is called overcompliance, which is a recurring problem with sanctions ## Long-Term Effects Iran's brain drain continues despite sanctions. > April 2020 research found 3.1 million Iranians emigrated since 1979 revolution ## Student Frustration Students feel trapped by sanctions and lack of options. > Helpless and angry most of the time, this situation is completely out of our control ## U.S. Sanctions Goal Trump administration aims to halt Iran's nuclear program through sanctions. > The Iranian regime has chosen to prioritize its nuclear ambitions over the well-being of its people ## Sanctions Debate Critics say sanctions harm civilians while failing to achieve diplomatic goals. > The sanctions have imposed high economic and social costs on civilians ## Education Crisis Iranian students face multiple barriers to international education. > They are watching their future opportunities disappear in front of them ## What Happens Next Students seek solutions through petitions and advocacy. > By Thursday, it had drawn more than 7,400 signatures ## Key takeaway U.S. sanctions suspend TOEFL and LSAT access for Iranian students, halting international education opportunities.