The Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simai-Sarraf, stated that problems with flights between Iran and Iraq will soon be resolved, allowing Iraqi students to return to Iranian universities.
He reported that currently over 50,000 Iraqi students are studying in universities across Iran. These statements were made by Simai-Sarraf during a meeting with the Iraqi Ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdul Zahra Al-Hajjaj.
Simai-Sarraf also noted that attempts are being made to create a negative atmosphere around academic ties between Iran and Iraq, pointing out that some groups seek to portray Iran as an unsafe place for Iraqi students. He emphasized that the Iranian people are hospitable, and such efforts should not undermine the long-standing ties between the peoples and the academic relations of the two countries.
The air travel disruptions occurred following a warning from the US Department of the Treasury on September 8th that airports serving 27 Iranian airlines might face secondary sanctions. Consequently, Iraqi authorities instructed aviation officials at the airports of Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk to suspend flights operated by Iranian carriers.
This suspension resulted in thousands of passengers, including religious pilgrims, students, and individuals traveling to Iraq for medical treatment, being put in difficult situations. The Iranian minister clarified that thousands of Iraqi students will continue their studies in Iranian universities during the new academic year. Furthermore, he mentioned the allocation of 200 scholarships for Iraqi students as part of efforts to strengthen academic exchange between the two states.
Said Khabiba, head of the Students Affairs Organization, reported in October 2025 that Iran attracts students from 101 countries despite existing difficulties. According to him, the scientific opportunities of Iranian universities and their positive reputation in international cooperation represent a valuable opportunity that should be utilized to incorporate the presence of foreign students into the national discourse and form the basis for strategic planning. Khabiba added that foreign students studying in Iran mainly come from Afghanistan, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.