Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on October 4 criticized the U.S. administration for imposing restrictions on the TOEFL English proficiency test for Iranian citizens. He said the move reflects Washington's deliberate efforts to hinder Iranian students' access to international education.
Speaking at a press conference, Baqaei emphasized that limiting TOEFL is not merely an administrative hurdle but reflects a calculated U.S. policy to pressure the Iranian people. "This is part of a larger strategy aimed at isolating and pressuring Iran across various domains, including education," he said.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is one of the world's most widely recognized English certificates, required by many universities in the U.S. and elsewhere for international students. The restriction is expected to directly affect thousands of Iranian students seeking to study abroad, forcing them to seek alternatives or abandon their plans for overseas education.
Iran and the U.S. have experienced years of strained diplomatic relations, particularly after Washington unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The new restrictions in education are seen as part of an escalating series of actions between the two nations.
There has been no official response from the U.S. regarding the accusation. However, analysts suggest Tehran's latest protest indicates the issue has moved beyond the economic sphere into education and fundamental rights of citizens.
