By Euronews Persian
Published on 07/10/2026 – 15:27 GMT+2
Iran’s parliament approved an amendment on Tuesday by a margin of 174 votes to six. The measure prohibits Iranian nationals from granting interviews to, or participating in discussions with, media organizations designated as “hostile” by the Intelligence Ministry, as well as those owned, managed, or funded by operatives linked to states classified as adversaries of the Islamic Republic.
Violations of Article 22 of the bill, titled “countering the penetration of intelligence services and foreign governments or entities,” carry sixth-degree penalties under the Islamic Penal Code. Punishments range from six months to two years in prison, alongside fines, 31 to 74 lashes, deprivation of social rights, and other restrictions.
The legislation categorizes foreign governments into two tiers. A “level 1 government” refers to a state formally designated as hostile under Iranian law or via a decision by the Supreme National Security Council.
“Level 2” designates a state that has planned or executed actions intended to damage Tehran’s political, defense, security, economic, social, or cultural interests.
A list of level two governments will be compiled by the Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC intelligence organization, subsequently requiring approval from the Supreme National Security Council.
A proposal by Tehran MP Alireza Salimi to exempt government officials from the scope of Article 22 was also approved during the same session.
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet formally opposed the bill. During its 22 August meeting, the cabinet stated the legislation contained “serious flaws,” citing restrictions on scientific activity, the acceleration of elite emigration, and negative repercussions at both national and international levels.
First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref warned of consequences for science and technology, while Presidential legal deputy Majid Ansari noted that criminalizing broad and general categories in the bill could harm citizens’ rights.
Parliament also passed Article 20 of the same bill, under which anyone who accesses unpublished official information by virtue of their job may not share it with a foreign agent without prior authorization. The penalty is four to 10 years in prison and a permanent bar from the post through which the information was accessed.
The legislation follows months of hardline rhetoric from Iranian officials against Persian-language broadcasters outside Iran.
On 26 August, armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi accused BBC Persian, Iran International and Radio Farda of links to US and Israeli intelligence organisations and said their staff could be placed in the Islamic Republic’s “military targets bank”.
Following the parliamentary vote, the bill still needs further approval to become law. The Majlis must complete its examination of remaining articles before sending the text to the Guardian Council, which reviews legislation for compatibility with Sharia and the constitution.
If the Guardian Council raises objections and the Majlis insists on its position, the Expediency Council makes a final ruling.
The parliament that passed the article emerged from elections in which turnout was reportedly at around 41%, the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Turnout in Tehran was around 24%. The leading candidate in the capital won some 598,000 votes, compared with more than 1.6 million for the leading Tehran candidate in the 2016 elections.
