United States revises visa policy for Iranian students; Guardian Council: Iran’s president can not serve as care taker minister
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • The United Staates state department has announced two years visa for Iranian Students. The step is the latest in a series by US President Barack Obama’s administration to reach out to the Iranian people and, in particular, to young Iranians despite the long enmity between the two countries. Students from Iran previously were eligible only for three-month, single-entry visas. The new guidelines apply to Iranians and their dependents applying to study in “nonsensitive, nontechnical fields”-those that would not contribute to Iran’s nuclear, missile or other weapons-related activities, a US official said. Under the revised policy, the visas could be valid for two years and allow Iranian students to come and go as often as they wished in that period without applying for a new visa. In a video address, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made clear the US gesture aimed to reach out to young Iranians. She also added that “we want more dialogue and more exchange with those of you who are shaping Iran’s future.” She stated that “because as long as the Iranian government continues to stifle your potential, we will stand with you.” She said “we will continue to look for new ways to fuel more opportunities for real change in Iran.”1

    In another development, the Guardian Council has announced that the president cannot serve as the caretaker oil minister according to article 135 of the Constitution. The ruling was issued after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that he would serve as the caretaker oil minister after he dismissed Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi, whose ministry is to be merged with the Energy Ministry as part of the administration’s plan to downsize the government. In addition, he reportedly plans to personally chair the upcoming OPEC meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Vienna in June 2011, since Iran holds the rotating presidency of the 12-member oil cartel. However, it is still not clear who will represent Iran in the OPEC meeting.2

    Top