Iran Criminalizes Interviews with Hostile Media
The Iranian newspaper Shargh reported that the Iranian parliament approved on Sunday a bill criminalizing interviews or any form of communication with media outlets deemed hostile to Tehran, including those affiliated with the United States or Israel and those funded by either country.
Under the bill, which still requires review by the Guardian Council before becoming law, interviews or participation in discussions with these media outlets will be banned, and violators will face prison sentences ranging from six months to two years.
Conducting interviews with other foreign media outlets will require notification to the Ministry of Intelligence, while contacting foreign embassies or offices of foreign organizations or other non-Iranian institutions without prior notification and written authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be punishable by fines and deprivation of certain social rights.
The bill also calls for stricter penalties for economic crimes committed under the direction or supervision of foreigners, prohibits providing information to foreigners without the approval of the Ministry of Intelligence, and restricts scientific cooperation with foreign institutions not listed on an approved roster.
It also prescribes penalties of up to 30 years in prison for political or legislative proposals made under the direction of foreign intelligence agencies if they harm Iran’s security or independence, with Revolutionary Courts having jurisdiction over such cases.
This is not the first time Tehran has criminalized cooperation with foreign entities. A law enacted in 2025, following a 12-day war with Israel, imposed harsher penalties on what it considers cooperation with hostile states.
Earlier this month, Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years in prison under that law, based on charges that included conducting interviews with media outlets deemed hostile by authorities and providing photographs to organizations linked to the United States and Israel.
