Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Iran parliament backs prison terms for hostile media interviews
Iran has a government that makes rules called laws.
The people who make Iran's laws recently voted to approve a new, stricter rule.
The new rule says it is against the law to give interviews to news organisations Iran considers hostile.
Those organisations include news outlets from the United States and Israel.
If someone talks to them anyway, they could go to prison for six months up to two years.
Talking to other foreign news people would require telling Iran's intelligence ministry first.
People would also need permission before sharing information with foreigners or working with foreign scientists and embassies.
The rule is not law yet — another group called the Guardian Council must review and approve it first.
A news photographer named Yalda Moaiery was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison under an earlier, similar law.
Iran's parliament approved a bill criminalising interviews and communications with media deemed hostile, including U.S. or Israeli outlets.
Interviews with hostile media would be punishable by six months to two years in prison.
Interviews with other foreign media would require notification to the intelligence ministry.
Policy proposals made under foreign intelligence direction that harm Iran's security could draw up to 30 years in prison, heard by Revolutionary Courts.
The bill still requires Guardian Council review and follows a 2025 law under which photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years.
- Who
- Iran's parliament (Islamic Consultative Assembly), as reported by Iran's Shargh newspaper and Reuters.
- What
- Approved a bill criminalising interviews and communications with media deemed hostile to Iran, punishable by six months to two years in prison, pending Guardian Council review.
- When
- Sunday, as reported by Reuters on Aug 16.
- Where
- Iran; reporting originated from Dubai.
- Why
- To further criminalise cooperation with foreign entities deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, following a 2025 law enacted after a 12-day war with Israel.
Supporters of the bill
Critics of the bill
Criminalising hostile media interviews
Supporters of the bill
The bill protects Iran's security and independence by preventing cooperation with hostile foreign media.
Critics of the bill
The bill restricts press freedom and punishes journalists for doing their jobs.
Penalties for foreign-directed proposals
Supporters of the bill
Harsh penalties are needed to deter foreign intelligence interference in Iran's affairs.
Critics of the bill
The 30-year prison terms are excessive and could be used to silence dissent.
- Bill
- Criminalises interviews and communications with media deemed hostile to Iran
- Penalty - hostile media interviews
- 6 months to 2 years in prison
- Penalty - foreign-directed proposals
- Up to 30 years in prison
- Review body
- Guardian Council, must approve before the bill becomes law
- Courts
- Revolutionary Courts
- Hostile media definition
- U.S. or Israeli media and outlets financed by either country
- Notable case
- Photojournalist Yalda Moaiery sentenced this month to 15 years under the 2025 law
- Reporting source
- Iran's Shargh newspaper, via Reuters
