Guidance on Working with Iranian Collaborators
This guidance is intended to address common questions about working with students or others of Iranian citizenship. Because of the complexities of the existing U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran, we encourage you to contact Mike Sanderson, the Export Controls Officer for campus (export@drexel.edu), with questions before the start of any collaboration.
Are There Restrictions on Iranians Studying in the US?
Drexel University encourages collaboration and supports students from Iran. However, like all international students, Iranian students must receive a visa in order to study at Drexel University.
Once a student from Iran receives a student visa, he or she may generally enroll in any courses offered by Drexel University.
Due to U.S. sanctions related to Iran, Iranian students may be prohibited from working on some research projects that involve export-controlled technology or technical data without obtaining the appropriate licenses or approvals. Generally, this would occur only if the research was not intended to be published in the public domain, or if it involved access to equipment or software that is export-controlled. Contact Elan Mitchell-Gee, the Director of Export Control, if you have questions.
Can I Work with Former Students or Others Who Are Living in Iran?
It depends.
If the research involves export-controlled technologies, there are significant limitations on working with Iranian collaborators, and licenses are difficult to obtain. Check with ORI before even having preliminary discussions. Export-controlled technologies are listed on the Department of Commerce Commodity Control List or the Department of State US Munitions List.
If the collaboration does not involve export-controlled technologies, there still may be restrictions imposed by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC). OFAC enforces the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR; 31 CFR 560). The ITSR broadly (and strictly) prohibit the importation or exportation of ANY goods or services from or to Iran without a license or documented exemption.
The ITSR does include a “Publishing exemption.” This exemption authorizes US Persons to engage in any transactions “necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of manuscripts, books, journals, and newspapers in paper or electronic form.” (31 CFR 560.538). However, it does not apply if the Iranian parties represent the Government of Iran or are included in any denied parties lists.
Check with ORI if you think your activities may fall within this exemption.