TOEFL tests still in limbo in Islamic Rep

Iran Times International July 30, 2010:The Educational Testing Service, the U.S.-based organization that administers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) now in limbo over a sanctions problem, said Tuesday that it “hopes to resume registrations shortly in Iran.” Spokesman Tom Ewing told the Iran Times, “We are reaching out to contacts.” Contrary to some news reports, Ewing emphasized that TOEFL exams have not been canceled in Iran, but registrations for tests have been suspended because the bank that used to move payments from Iran to ETS discontinued its services. Ewing said, “Testing for those already registered in Iran continues.” Ewing said ETS assumes the bank, which he would not name, had some fear over sanctions, either American or UN. ETS is unusual in being able to accept payments from Iran despite U.S. sanctions that have barred financial transactions between U.S. entities and Iran since 1995. ETS long ago received a license from the US Treasury exempting it from sanctions. ETS has offered the TOEFL test in Iran since 1964. “We hope to continue doing so in the future,” Ewing said. “We are anxious to move beyond this current situation.”

Iran-Times.COM

AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE OF NEWS ABOUT IRAN

Copyright © 2009 The Iran Times Corp. All rights reserved

Founded in 1970