Iran parliament approves tougher sentences for foreign media contact

Iran's parliament has approved a resolution that will impose harsher penalties on citizens who interact with foreign media. The legislation, expected to be confirmed by higher authorities, mandates up to two years in prison for any contact with U.S. media, foreign embassies, or institutions, whether inside or outside Iran, unless prior written consent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is obtained.

“

Iran under the new leadership of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is going toward North Koreanization.

Existing laws already strictly prohibit sharing information with exiled, foreign-backed media outlets like Iran International and government-funded broadcasters VOA Farsi and BBC Farsi. However, this new resolution broadens the scope, targeting any form of written or verbal communication with foreigners, particularly foreign media.

“

I think Mojtaba is much more hard-line and closed-minded than his father, and the country will become a completely restricted and isolated country.

Furthermore, the legislation includes a potential 10-year prison sentence for individuals involved in educational or research activities deemed "incompatible with Iranian culture." This move reflects the clerical leadership's deep-seated concerns about foreign infiltration, a paranoia amplified after the June 2025 war involving Israel and the U.S. The regime has since intensified crackdowns, jailing and executing individuals accused of sending information abroad.

“

The boundaries set by the new legislation are a serious concern for all Iranians.

One student, Marjan, expressed concerns that Iran is heading towards "North Koreanization" under the new leadership of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, whom she described as more hard-line and closed-minded than his father. She noted that many Iranians share these worries but are afraid to voice them. Another individual, a former government employee speaking anonymously, highlighted the practical implications, stating that even using common messaging apps like WhatsApp could lead to trouble if phones are searched at checkpoints. This has prompted many Iranians to switch to domestic communication alternatives to avoid potential issues with government agencies.

“

Using basic applications like WhatsApp or other messaging apps could get you into trouble if stopped at mobile checkpoints, where phones are searched.