Academic brain drain raised by MPs after years of denial The number of students and academics fleeing Iran, including many top professors, is causing a sizeable brain drain and has reached such high levels that it is being openly discussed in the Iranian parliament, after years of government denial. In the past, the government has denied that a major problem exists, but oppressive regime tactics coupled with crippling international sanctions and salaries made uncompetitive by the falling currency value have led to more and more highly educated Iranians fleeing the country. The protracted issue was brought to the forefront again during a Majles-e Showra-ye Eslami (parliament) session in the capital Tehran this month when lawmakers from different regions of the country expressed concern that the talent exodus could aggravate the country’s economic crisis.