And now, sanctions are punishing Iranian youth seeking to study abroad.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) announced on July 15 that because of US-led sanctions, Iranians cannot register for the GRE and the TOEFL — tests necessary to study abroad.

This cannot be what the President had in mind when he promised: “[E]ven as we continue to have differences with the Iranian government, we will sustain our commitment to a more hopeful future for the Iranian people. For instance, by increasing opportunities for educational exchanges so that Iranian students can come to our colleges and universities…”

A pattern of contradictions seems to be emerging between the President’s promises on Iran and the actual policies that are being pursued.

We must remind President Obama of his promises and urge him to act to ensure young Iranians are not barred from studying abroad.

Already, on Norooz, President Obama committed to increasing educational exchanges for young Iranians. Since then, thousands have written the President urging that, as a first step, the US fix the “single-entry only” policy in which Iranians studying at American colleges may not leave the US at any time without losing their visas. That issue has yet to be addressed by the President, and now the situation for Iranian youths hoping to study abroad has grown even worse.

Please take a moment to remind President Obama how important it is that we not punish in

Recently imposed sanctions on Iran have already grounded civilian passenger planes, revoked a “goodwill gesture” that enabled Americans to import Iranian carpets and pistachios, and disproportionately punished Iran’s middle class.

And now, sanctions are punishing Iranian youth seeking to study abroad.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) announced on July 15 that because of US-led sanctions, Iranians cannot register for the GRE and the TOEFL — tests necessary to study abroad.

This cannot be what the President had in mind when he promised: “[E]ven as we continue to have differences with the Iranian government, we will sustain our commitment to a more hopeful future for the Iranian people.  For instance, by increasing opportunities for educational exchanges so that Iranian students can come to our colleges and universities…”

A pattern of contradictions seems to be emerging between the President’s promises on Iran and the actual policies that are being pursued.

We must remind President Obama of his promises and urge him to act to ensure young Iranians are not barred from studying abroad.

Already, on Nowruz, President Obama committed to increasing educational exchanges for young Iranians.  Since then, thousands have written the President urging that, as a first step, the US fix the “single-entry only” policy in which Iranians studying at American colleges may not leave the US at any time without losing their visas.  That issue has yet to be addressed by the President, and now the situation for Iranian youths hoping to study abroad has grown even worse.

Please take a moment to remind President Obama how important it is that we not punish innocent Iranians, including students seeking to study outside of Iran.  Urge the President to keep his promise and ensure that sanctions don’t block Iranian students from “a more hopeful future.”

nocent Iranians, including students seeking to study outside of Iran. Urge the President to keep his promise and ensure that sanctions don’t block Iranian students from “a more hopeful future.”