Signal Iranian parliament advances bill to curb foreign influence

Summary

Iran's parliament approved the general principles of a bill on August 16, 2026 that would criminalize interviews and communications with media deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, including US or Israeli media or outlets financed by either country, according to Reuters. Violations of this provision would carry six months to two years in prison, while interviews with other foreign media would require prior notification to the intelligence ministry, and unauthorized contact with foreign embassies or organizations would be punishable by fines and loss of certain social rights. The bill would also ban providing information to foreigners without intelligence ministry approval and restrict scientific cooperation with foreign institutions outside an approved list. Under the bill, policy or legislative proposals made under the direction of foreign intelligence services that harm Iran's security or independence could be punished with up to 30 years in prison, with cases heard by Revolutionary Courts. Parliament member Osman Salari said individual provisions have not yet been debated and approved, and the bill must still pass review by the Guardian Council to become law. The advancement follows a related crackdown, including the 15-year sentence handed to Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery this month over interviews with media deemed hostile.