Iran’s hardline-dominated parliament has approved the broad outlines of a proposed law aimed at combating foreign “infiltration”, but the measure is not yet in force. The draft would require authorisation or registration for a wide range of contacts with foreign countries, including academic cooperation, media work and some cultural activities.
The bill still needs final ratification by parliament and approval from Iran’s 12-member Guardian Council, a process that could take weeks or months. Government officials, legal experts and parts of the Iranian media have warned that it could restrict personal freedoms and obstruct international academic and media ties.
What the proposed bill would cover
An updated 33-article version released on Wednesday describes controlled foreign-linked activities as including publishing, statistics, scholarships, scientific cooperation, research samples, money, goods and services, legal advice and artistic production. Countries would be placed in three tiers, with the United States and Israel expected to receive the highest level of scrutiny.
The Interior Ministry would establish a portal for registering activities such as exchanging reports, data or statistics. NGOs, political parties and associations could be required to register foreign funds, contracts, training or other benefits. Existing foreign-linked activities would have to be registered within three months of the portal becoming operational.
- Foreign-supported workshops, courses or classes could expose organisers to imprisonment and participants to possible punishment.
- Contact or cooperation with foreign media would require registration and prior permission under the draft.
- Unauthorised interviews with media considered hostile by the Islamic Republic could carry prison terms ranging from six months to several years.
- Proposed penalties for knowingly providing false information, analysis or policy recommendations under foreign direction include a maximum of 30 years in prison.
- Foreign-supported films, music, books and other works could face fines, production stoppages or permanent professional bans if deemed to violate religious rules, portray Iran negatively or promote “anti-Islamic culture”.
Why parliament is considering it
Supporters have presented the plan as a supplement to a separate espionage law passed after last year’s 12-day war with Israel and the United States. Ruhollah Nejabat, a hardline lawmaker from Shiraz, said the plan had first been approved earlier this year to counter the influence of Iran’s enemies.
The controversy intensified as a memorandum of understanding with Washington reached its deadline amid prospects of further military escalation in the current US-Israel war on Iran. The draft exempts the armed forces, the Intelligence Ministry and political officials’ participation in relevant foreign activities from registration on the proposed portal.
Government and public reaction
Majid Ansari, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s deputy for legal affairs, said the government was explicitly opposed to the legislation. He warned that it could impose serious restrictions on scientific work, limit Iranian academics’ access to international colleagues, damage the country’s image in international media and accelerate the departure of skilled people. Ansari also said the plan conflicted with the constitution, citizens’ rights and personal freedoms.
Legal expert and university professor Kambiz Norouzi described the proposal as inconsistent with fundamental rights and said its broad principles were likely to change before final approval. Iranian media have split over the plan: Nournews called for reconsideration, while the ultraconservative Keyhan and the Jam-e Jam newspaper supported it. Reformist newspaper Shargh described it as a “law against communication”.
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