Iran parliament votes to criminalize interviews with US, Israeli media

Iran's parliament has approved a bill that would criminalize interviews and other communications with media outlets considered hostile to the Islamic Republic. The legislation, reported by Iran's Shargh newspaper, targets U.S. and Israeli media, as well as outlets financed by either country. If the Guardian Council reviews and approves the bill, individuals engaging in interviews or discussions with these media will face a ban and potential imprisonment of six months to two years.

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Interviews with other foreign media would require notification to the intelligence ministry, while contact with foreign embassies, offices of foreign organizations or other non-Iranian institutions without notification and written permission from the foreign ministry would be punishable by a fine and deprivation of certain social rights.

Beyond direct interviews, the bill also imposes stricter penalties for alleged economic crimes committed under foreign direction, prohibits providing information to foreigners without intelligence ministry approval, and restricts scientific cooperation with unlisted foreign institutions. Policy or legislative proposals made under the direction of foreign intelligence services that harm Iran's security or independence could lead to prison terms of up to 30 years, with cases heard by Revolutionary Courts.

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Policy or legislative proposals made under the direction of foreign intelligence services if they harm Iran's security or independence, with prison terms of up to 30 years.

This is not the first time Iran has enacted laws against cooperation with foreign entities. A law passed in 2025, following a conflict with Israel, already imposed tougher penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states. Illustrating the impact of such laws, Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was recently sentenced to 15 years under that legislation. Her charges included giving interviews to media deemed hostile and providing photographs to organizations linked to the U.S. and Israel.

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Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced this month to 15 years under that law over allegations that included giving interviews to media deemed hostile and providing photographs to US and Israel-linked organizations.