TOEFL Testing Reinstated in Iran

ETS, the U.S.-based organization that administers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and other exams, has said on its website that it is resuming registrations in Iran for its TOEFL and GRE (Graduate Record Examination) tests.

“The brief suspension was the indirect result of tighter UN Security Council restrictions on financial transactions involving Iran, which resulted in ETS's banking arrangements being discontinued," the statement says.

"Students wishing to take the tests may register through Iran's National Organization of Educational Testing, or with credit/debit cards issued by banks that are not prohibited under UN or U.S. sanctions. ETS has permission from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to conduct its testing business in Iran.”

The suspension of the testing had angered some Iranians.

Concern remains, however, that ordinary Iranians will be hurt as the result of the UN, U.S. and European Union sanctions imposed against Iran over its sensitive nuclear work.

-- Golnaz Esfandiari