Iran nuclear deal and attempted Turkey coup blamed for delays that have forced students defer enrollment or turn down funding from US universities

More than 170 Iranian students have been forced to defer enrollment and turn down funding at US universities this year because of delays in visa processing.

The students were accepted into graduate programs to study subjects ranging from English to engineering, but as classes begin, their lives have been put on hold as they wait for the documents needed to travel to the US.

It is unclear why so many visa applications have been held up. Possible explanations offered by students, advocates and immigration experts included the Iran nuclear deal, the attempted coup in Turkey and a lack of Farsi speakers at US embassies.

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