Iranian parliament votes to further criminalize interviews with ‘hostile media’
Interviews with other foreign media would require notification to the intelligence ministry.
Iran's parliament has passed a bill that would criminalize interviews and interactions with media deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, such as U.S. or Israeli media outlets and those financed by these countries. The legislation, which requires approval from the Guardian Council, could lead to prison sentences ranging from six months to two years for such violations.
The bill also mandates notification to the intelligence ministry for interviews with other foreign media and fines and social rights deprivation for failing to notify the foreign ministry before contacting foreign embassies or organizations. Penalties for economic crimes directed or supervised by foreigners would be more severe, and providing information to foreigners without intelligence ministry approval would be prohibited.
Scientific cooperation with foreign institutions would be restricted to a pre-approved list. The bill also targets policy proposals influenced by foreign intelligence services that could jeopardize Iran's security or independence, with potential prison terms up to 30 years. Cases would be heard by Revolutionary Courts. This is not the first time Iran has criminalized cooperation with foreign entities; a law passed in 2025 after a war with Israel imposed stricter penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states.
A recent case saw Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery sentenced to 15 years under this law for allegedly giving interviews to hostile media and providing photographs to U.S. and Israeli-linked organizations.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
