The Iranian parliament on Sunday approved a bill that provides for prison sentences of up to two years for giving interviews, participating in conversations or maintaining any kind of contact with media outlets considered “hostile,” including American or Israeli media and those opposed to the Islamic Republic.

[Iran Demands Lifting of U.S. Blockade Before Talks Resume: Iranian Parliament Approves Prison Sentences for Contacting Hostile Media](https://www.telesurenglish.net/iranian-parliament-approves-prison-sentences-for-contacting-hostile-media/)

The initiative, titled “Fighting the infiltration of intelligence services and foreign governments or institutions into the country,” was approved with 183 votes in favor, according to the official IRNA agency.

The bill, which still needs to be reviewed by the Guardian Council before becoming law, establishes prison sentences of between six months and two years for those who grant interviews or participate in conversations with media considered hostile, including those funded by the United States or Israel.

The ban also extends to sending videos, photographs, audio, and any other type of data to non-Iranian media or to people who carry out journalistic activities outside the country.

BREAKING:

Iran’s parliament passes tough new bill against foreign influence.

• Politicians who make proposals under foreign direction could get up to 30 years in prison

• Giving interviews to US or Israeli media or media funded by them can mean 6 months to 2 years in jail… pic.twitter.com/wK0SKdK5vC

— Current Report (@Currentreport1) August 16, 2026

Interviews with other foreign media not considered hostile will not be prohibited, but will require the interested party to inform the Ministry of Intelligence in advance through a system enabled by that agency.

The project grants the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organization of the Revolutionary Guard powers to investigate the crimes contemplated in the norm and send evidence of alleged foreign direction or influence to the Justice Department.

The initiative also includes other measures to restrict activities considered contrary to Islamic or Iranian culture.

These include a lifelong ban on producing or directing films, documentaries, plays, music or books that, according to the authorities, promote a culture contrary to Islam or present a negative image of the country.

The project also provides for sentences of between five and ten years in prison for those who organize courses, classes or workshops, in person or virtual, considered incompatible with Iranian culture, while participants could be sentenced to between six months and two years in prison.

Penalties of between six months and two years are also established for those who collaborate scientifically with foreign universities, institutions or organizations that have not been approved by the Ministry of Intelligence.

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