[Zahra Jafarbeklou is a researcher in international law based in Iran and an LL.M. candidate at the Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University] Introduction: The Paradox of “Permitted” Isolation The late 2025 snapback mechanism triggered the digital siege stifling Iran’s academic community. On paper, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued General…