WASHINGTON — There is more riding on US President Donald Trump’s upcoming decision whether to recertify Iranian compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) than the fate of that landmark nuclear deal.

Ever since Trump’s inauguration, the State Department has been sitting on or diverting funds for cultural and scientific exchanges with Iran. More than 500 Iranians have come to the United States on such exchanges since 2006, contributing to mutual scientific advances and creating a foundation for closer bilateral ties between the longtime adversaries.

Under the Barack Obama administration and with the support of President Hassan Rouhani’s government, these exchanges had accelerated. Al-Monitor has learned that the State Department had funding in 2017 to bring 50-60 visitors from the Middle East and North Africa to the United States. Normally a substantial number would have come from Iran, but this year, no Iranians have arrived.

If the Trump administration does not recertify the JCPOA, the future of programs such as the International Visitor Leadership Program in regard to Iran could be in real jeopardy, according to practitioners who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.