US orders 30 universities to audit ties to foreign entities, including in Iran

 

The US Department of War said on Monday it had ordered 30 domestic academic institutions to immediately review their academic, financial and research ties with foreign entities of concern.

The reviews cover collaborations with institutions on the Department of War’s Section 1286 list, a broader list of foreign universities and research bodies, including institutions in Iran, China and Russia, that the department says engage in activities threatening US national security interests.

Nine Iranian institutions appear on the list: Amirkabir University of Technology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Imam Baqir University, Imam Hussein University, Malek Ashtar University, Naval University of Imam Khomeini, Shahid Sattari Air Force University, Sharif University of Technology and Supreme National Defense University.

“The Department of War has zero tolerance for academic partnerships that compromise our national security,” Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael said.

The 30 institutions must audit identified foreign collaborations, assess exposure of sensitive or export-controlled research and take mitigation measures, including terminating problematic partnerships, to remain eligible for future federal research funding.

They have until Aug. 31 to report their findings and actions to the department.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202608170861