“The rejection of Iranian students is based on a misinterpretation of U.S. sanctions law,” Jamal Abdi said in an email. “It would not be the first time that the myriad of broad sanctions restrictions were mis-enforced or over-enforced and left unintended victims. We hope the policy is reversed so that UMass Amherst can continue to be an institution that fosters academic exchange and open communications, instead of an instrument of a harmful sanctions policy.”