English test cancelled over sanctions

Iranian media say a popular English-language test has been cancelled because organisers in Iran were unable to pay their British partner due to banking sanctions against the Islamic country. News websites say Iranian applicants were expected to take the International English Language Testing System exam April 12 and 14 but were told by organisers that the test has been cancelled.
The independent news website, fararu.com, quoted Mohammad Hossein Sororeddin, a senior Iranian cultural official, as saying ``technical problems regarding the transfer of money'' caused the cancellation. Iran is facing tough economic sanctions from the European Union over its controversial nuclear program. The test is administered in more than 130 countries, according to the British company's website.