Iran sanctions reach education: Duolingo blocked, TOEFL and GRE in doubt

August 30, 2026 - 04:02

Iranian students hoping to study abroad are running into a fresh set of walls, this time in the form of blocked apps and suspended test registrations. The United States has ended a long-standing sanctions waiver that for twelve years allowed academic exchanges, admissions support, and standardized testing to move forward between the two countries. Now, popular English proficiency tools like Duolingo are no longer accessible from inside Iran, and major testing bodies are holding off on confirming whether TOEFL and GRE sessions will continue.

The decision hits at a practical level. For years, Iranian applicants used Duolingo as a cheap, at-home alternative to in-person exams, especially when travel was difficult. With that option gone, many are scrambling to find other ways to prove their language skills. Meanwhile, the status of TOEFL and GRE centers in Iran is unclear. Some local test administrators have reportedly paused new registrations, waiting for official guidance from ETS and other organizations. Students who already paid for upcoming sessions are left in limbo, unsure if their scores will be honored or if refunds are possible.

Beyond the immediate confusion, the move signals a broader tightening of educational ties. Universities abroad, particularly in North America and Europe, often rely on these standardized scores to evaluate applicants from Iran. Without a clear path to take the tests, many qualified students may simply stop applying. For those already in the middle of the application cycle, the timing could not be worse, as deadlines for fall 2025 admissions are fast approaching. Advocacy groups have urged Washington to reconsider, arguing that limiting educational access hurts ordinary people more than it pressures the government. For now, students are left to wait and hope that a workaround appears before the next application season closes.