Iran's parliament advances bill criminalizing contact with US and Israeli media

On August 16, 2026, Iran's parliament approved the framework of a bill criminalizing contact with media deemed hostile, including U.S. and Israeli outlets, carrying prison terms of six months to two years. The bill also restricts contact with foreign embassies and international organizations, and imposes up to 30 years in prison for foreign-directed policy proposals. The legislation, which requires Guardian Council approval, follows a 2025 law under which photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Hostile media contact criminalization

• ▪Iran's parliament approved the general framework of a bill on August 16, 2026, that would criminalize interviews and communications with media outlets deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic.
• ▪Osman Salari, a member of the Iranian parliament's judicial and legal commission, stated on August 16, 2026, that individual provisions of the foreign influence bill must still be debated and voted on article by article.
• ▪The proposed Iranian legislation specifically targets media outlets from the United States and Israel, as well as organizations funded by either country.

Prison sentences for violations

• ▪Under the proposed Iranian bill, individuals who conduct interviews or participate in discussions with media outlets deemed hostile could face prison terms ranging from six months to two years.
• ▪Under the proposed Iranian bill, cases involving policy or legislative proposals directed by foreign intelligence services would be handled by Revolutionary Courts.
• ▪The proposed Iranian legislation would impose prison sentences of up to 30 years for advancing policy or legislative proposals under the direction of foreign intelligence services.

Foreign institution contact restrictions

• ▪The proposed Iranian bill would prohibit sharing information with foreign nationals without intelligence ministry approval and restrict scientific cooperation with overseas institutions to an approved list.
• ▪The proposed Iranian bill requires citizens to notify the intelligence ministry before conducting interviews with foreign media outlets not classified as hostile.
• ▪The proposed Iranian legislation would increase penalties for economic offenses carried out under the direction or supervision of foreigners.
• ▪The proposed Iranian legislation would penalize unauthorized contact with foreign embassies, international organizations, or non-Iranian institutions with financial fines and the loss of certain social rights.

Guardian Council review requirement

• ▪The Iranian parliament approved the broad framework of the foreign influence bill on August 16, 2026, but must debate and approve the final text article by article.
• ▪The proposed Iranian legislation requires review and approval by Iran's Guardian Council before it can officially be enacted into law.

Prior foreign cooperation laws

• ▪Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced in August 2026 to 15 years in prison under the 2025 law for giving interviews to hostile media and supplying photographs to organizations linked to the United States and Israel.
• ▪Iran previously enacted legislation in 2025 that introduced tougher penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states following a 12-day conflict with Israel.

5 sources