Iranian parliament has moved forward with a bill aimed at reducing foreign influence

Iran’s parliament on Sunday approved the general principles of a bill aimed at criminalizing interviews and other forms of communication with media considered hostile to the Islamic Republic. This includes outlets from the U.S. or Israel, as well as those funded by either nation, according to a report by Iran’s Shargh newspaper.

Osman Salari, a member of the parliament’s judicial and legal commission, stated that the specific provisions of the bill, designed to counter foreign intelligence influence, have not yet been debated and approved. Salari informed the Mizan news agency that the reports regarding the bill’s details are not final at this time.

Under the proposed bill, engaging in interviews or participating in discussions with such media would be prohibited, and violations could result in imprisonment for a period ranging from six months to two years.

Interviews with foreign media necessitate informing the intelligence ministry, and any engagement with foreign embassies, offices of foreign organizations, or other non-Iranian entities without prior notification and written consent from the foreign ministry may result in fines and the loss of specific social rights.

The proposed legislation aims to increase penalties for economic crimes committed under the direction or supervision of foreigners, prohibit sharing information with foreigners without approval from the intelligence ministry, and restrict scientific collaboration with foreign institutions to those on an approved list.

It would impose penalties on policy or legislative proposals initiated under the influence of foreign intelligence services if they jeopardize Iran’s security or independence, with potential prison sentences of up to 30 years. Cases would be adjudicated by Revolutionary Courts.

The bill will be examined article by article in parliament. Once parliament approves the final text, it will need to be reviewed by the Guardian Council before becoming law.

The action marks yet another instance of Iran criminalizing collaboration with foreign entities. A law enacted in 2025 following a 12-day conflict with Israel established stricter penalties for suspected collaboration with adversarial nations.

Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery received a 15-year sentence this month under that law, facing allegations that included giving interviews to media considered hostile and supplying photographs to organizations linked to the U.S. and Israel.