General License G was a U.S. Treasury/OFAC exemption from Iran sanctions. It permitted limited academic and educational cooperation.

On the other hand, Iran’s parliament has approved the general principles of a bill aimed at restricting contact with entities considered hostile to Iran. The proposed measures reportedly include:

- restricting scientific and academic cooperation with unapproved foreign institutions;

- criminalising the unauthorised transfer of information to foreigners;

- prison terms of roughly six months to two years for some media contacts;

- potentially much harsher penalties—up to 30 years—for conduct alleged to be directed by foreign intelligence services.

The impacts of the "Cultural Revolution" on Iran's Tertiary Education System 

The Cultural Revolution in Iran was a 1980–1983 post-revolutionary purge that closed all universities for three years to remove Western, secular, and leftist influences. Led by Ruhollah Khomeini, its goal was to reshape academia to match strict Islamic laws. This discussion explains its impact on the Tertiary education system in Iran in more detail. 

The origins and evolution of the post-1979 political order: its societal and international consequences, and the possible scenarios that may unfold and the implications of these developments for regional stability and global politics 

Educated, Yet Unequal: Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran is often cited as having one of the highest rates of women's participation in tertiary education in the region. But does educational access translate into equal rights?

In this episode, we examine the realities of growing up and studying as a woman in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We discuss gender segregation in schools, compulsory hijab and dress codes, restrictions on girls' participation in sport, religious indoctrination in education, and the broader impact these policies have on women's social, educational, and professional lives. We also explore how legal discrimination continues to shape opportunities long after graduation.  

Academic life in an isolated Iran

In this episode, we explore what life is really like for ordinary students and academics in Iran. Beyond the headlines and geopolitics, we discuss the everyday challenges they face—from international sanctions and restricted access to research resources, software, banking services, and academic collaborations, to the barriers to studying, publishing, and participating in the global scientific community.

We also examine the recently announced US–Iran deal and ask an important question: Will it make a meaningful difference? Could it ease some of these long-standing obstacles, or will most restrictions remain in place?

Unsettling Oppressive Situation of Tertiary Education in Iran

Iran's Internet Blackout and Its Impact on Tertiary Education and the Scientific Community