Iran parliament advances hostile media bill

Iran's parliament approved the general principles of a bill that would criminalise interviews and other communications with media deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, including US or Israeli media and outlets financed by either country. The bill, aimed at countering foreign intelligence influence, would impose prison terms of six months to two years for violations. It also requires notification to the intelligence ministry for interviews with other foreign media, restricts contact with foreign embassies and organisations, hardens penalties for economic crimes under foreign direction, bans providing information to foreigners without approval, and restricts scientific cooperation. Policy or legislative proposals made under foreign intelligence direction that harm Iran's security could carry up to 30 years in prison, with cases heard by Iran — Revolutionary Court of Iran. The bill will be debated article by article and must be reviewed by the Iran — Guardian Council before becoming law. This follows a 2025 law that imposed tougher penalties for cooperation with hostile states, under which photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years this month.