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U.S. Policy Challenges for Iranian Students

Overview of Policies and Impact Student visa restrictions Field of study – Federal law prohibits issuance of student visas for Iranian students seeking to study in a field that would prepare them “for a career in the energy sector of Iran or in nuclear science or nuclear engineering or a related field in Iran,” as determined by the Secretary of State (became U.S. law in 2012 – ITRSHRA). Single-entry visa – A federal policy change in 2010 made Iranian students eligible for multiple-entry visas but excluded Iranian students in technical fields who are limited to single-entry visas like all Iranians. Student visa revocations – Students who had already been accepted into programs at U.S. universities and who held valid visas have been prevented from boarding their flights to the U.S. or turned away in U.S. airports. The majority of these cases were reported during 2019 and 2020, a period of time which saw increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran.  Travel ban – The Trump Administration is expected to reimpose a travel ban that may once again bar visas for Iranians. While a waiver process was eventually mandated in Trump’s first term to enable Iranian students to potentially secure visas

Can Trump and Iran Sign a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement?

“When Trump first put in “maximum pressure” back in 2018…the runway from maximum pressure to an actual conflict was much much longer than it is today because of the regional dynamics,” since today, as Parsi noted, “you already have a region that is essentially on the brink of explosion.” Those remarks were given by Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, in an X/Twitter Space panel exploring the likelihood that Trump and Iran genuinely can achieve a “Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement.”  The discussion, held on February 10, came shortly after both U.S. and Iranian leaders made headlines with important remarks on diplomacy. On February 4, 2025, Trump signed a memorandum reimposing his “maximum pressure” policies, but did so in a notably reluctant manner, stating that “hopefully it will be a document which won’t be very important and will hardly have to be used.” Following this, Trump stated on his Truth Social account that “I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately…”. However, on February 7, 2025, Supreme Leader Khamenei responded indirectly to Trump’s rhetoric and pressure, downplaying the possibility

Memo: Trump Moves on Diplomacy

Trump has made major, clear signals of his desire for a new nuclear deal with Iran, building on prior statements supportive of diplomacy. These seem to set the stage for new negotiations, despite his apparently reluctant signature of a memorandum reinstituting “maximum pressure” sanctions against Iran. For those serious about resolving tensions with Iran through diplomacy, putting American interests first and preventing further war in the Middle East, what Trump said about Iran yesterday was very positive.  Trump was “torn” about signing his maximum pressure memorandum, and said he hopes it won’t be implemented very much Trump’s maximum pressure memorandum directs the Treasury Department, State Department and Attorney General to take an aggressive posture toward Iran, amplifying sanctions pressure. However, the vast majority of these steps have been the modus operandi of these institutions toward Iran since President Trump first exited the nuclear deal. Somewhat new elements include directions to cancel waivers that provide any benefit to Iran, efforts to drive Iran’s oil exports to zero and calls for the snapback of all international restrictions on Iran, seeming to refer to United Nations resolutions.  Yet, in signing the memorandum, Trump signaled ambivalence about signing and said, “hopefully it will be

Netanyahu Expected to Stoke Iran Tensions Amid Trump White House Visit

NIAC President Jamal Abdi released the following statement regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House today, which comes as the administration is reportedly preparing to institute some form of “maximum pressure” sanctions pressure on Iran.

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