Citing increasing security threats, Denmark has adopted stricter policies regarding the admission of foreign researchers, with Iranian researchers in particular facing disqualification.
According to Danish media, the country’s security and academic officials have warned that access to sensitive information in fields such as quantum technology, green energy, and artificial intelligence could increase the risk of information leaking to foreign governments.
Aarhus University, one of Denmark’s most prestigious academic institutions, announced that it has rejected applications from at least 24 foreign researchers so far this year. A significant portion of these applicants held Iranian, Russian, or Chinese citizenship.
University officials stated that the primary reason for these rejections was the risk that these individuals might gain access to information that could be transferred to third countries.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has warned that countries such as Iran may use researchers for espionage purposes, including through financial inducement, threats, political pressure, or cyberattacks.
In this context, some universities, including the University of Copenhagen, have established specialized teams to conduct security screening of applicants.
Nevertheless, some academics have expressed concern that these restrictions may harm international scientific collaboration.
Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, has placed greater emphasis on protecting scientific and research infrastructure as part of its defense and security policies.
In the fall of last year, members of the Danish parliament, during a session of the immigration committee, stressed the need for stricter measures against the anti-democratic activities of Iran’s regime.
On July 1, 2025, German prosecutors announced that a Danish citizen had been arrested in Denmark on suspicion of spying for Iran’s regime. His activities were allegedly aimed at gathering information on locations and individuals connected to the Jewish community in the city of Berlin.
Concerns over espionage and sabotage activities by Iran’s regime and its affiliated elements have been growing in Europe.
The intelligence services of the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands have held the Iranian regime responsible for criminal activities and for using criminal gangs on their soil.
