Iran's Media Crackdown
Iran Parliament Approves Bill Criminalizing Interviews with Hostile Media, Awaiting Final Review
Key Points
The bill still requires approval from Iran's Guardian Council before it can become law, meaning its enactment hinges on a final constitutional review.
The measure is framed as part of a broader crackdown on foreign cooperation, tying into a 2025 law enacted after a 12-day war with Israel that tightened penalties for cooperation with hostile states.
The enforcement of these restrictions is illustrated by the case of photojournalist Yalda Moaiery, who was sentenced to 15 years under the 2025 law for alleged activities such as giving interviews to hostile media and providing photographs to U.S. and Israel-linked organisations.
Several reports note that Shargh newspaper is among the sources reporting the bill, underscoring that coverage originates from Iranian media and is subject to Guardian Council review and potential legal constraints.
Iran's parliament has approved a bill that would make giving interviews to "hostile" foreign media a criminal offence, Times of Israel reports. Outlets from the US and Israel — and any media financed by either country — are explicitly targeted. Violations could bring six months to two years in prison.
The bill still needs approval from Iran's Guardian Council, a powerful body that reviews laws for compliance with Islamic principles and the constitution, before it can take effect, according to Philenews.
What the Bill Actually Bans and Punishes
The bill targets far more than just journalists. Any Iranian who contacts a foreign embassy, international organization office, or other foreign institution without written permission from the foreign ministry faces fines and loss of social rights, Tucson reports. Reporting to the intelligence ministry is required even for routine contact with non-hostile foreign groups.
The bill also bans sharing information with foreigners without intelligence ministry approval. Scientific cooperation is restricted to a government-approved list of institutions. Cases will be heard by Revolutionary Courts — Iran's hardline security tribunals. The harshest penalties, up to 30 years in prison, apply to actions judged to harm Iran's security or independence, according to Times of Israel.
A 2025 War Law Set the Stage for This Crackdown
This bill does not come out of nowhere. After a 12-day war with Israel in 2025, Iran passed a law that toughened penalties for cooperating with hostile states, Crypto Briefing reports. The new bill builds directly on that legal framework, extending its reach into media, science, and everyday contact with foreign institutions.
The pattern is clear: each conflict with Israel has been followed by tighter domestic controls. Iran's government has used these laws to frame foreign contact not as free speech but as a national security threat.
Photojournalist's 15-Year Sentence Shows the Stakes
The consequences of these laws are not hypothetical. Photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years in prison under the 2025 law, according to Times of Israel. Her alleged offences included giving interviews to hostile media and sending photographs to US- and Israel-linked organizations — exactly the kind of activity the new bill targets.
Her case shows how broadly authorities can apply these rules. It also signals what journalists and ordinary citizens could face if the Guardian Council signs off on the new bill.
Guardian Council Review Could Still Block or Alter the Bill
The Guardian Council is Iran's final filter for new legislation. The 12-member body — made up of Islamic jurists and legal experts — can reject or send back any law it deems incompatible with the constitution or Islamic law. The new media bill must clear this review before it becomes enforceable, Philenews notes.
Coverage of the bill inside Iran comes partly from Shargh, a reformist newspaper, according to Tucson. That an Iranian outlet reported on the bill at all is notable, given that the law itself could restrict the kind of journalism used to cover it.
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