On 16 August, Parliament approved the general principles of a bill that would criminalize giving interviews to, or otherwise communicating with, media outlets deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic. The category explicitly includes United States and Israeli outlets and those funded by either country. Violations would carry six months to two years in prison. The bill would also require people to notify the Intelligence Ministry before giving interviews to other foreign media, and to obtain written Foreign Ministry permission before contacting foreign embassies and organizations. The bill, which would further tighten an already highly restrictive media environment, has not yet become law and still requires further parliamentary and Guardian Council approval.

Sources: Reuters, International Federation of Journalists, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale air campaign against Iran, targeting military, nuclear and leadership sites. The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family, as well as several senior military and government officials, significantly escalating regional tensions. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and U.S. military facilities across the region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Update: Following the initial strikes, the conflict escalated into a prolonged regional confrontation. By mid-March, fighting had caused widespread humanitarian and economic disruption in Iran, including civilian casualties, internal displacement, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to essential services. Although a temporary ceasefire was reached in April, fighting later resumed. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a key flashpoint of the conflict, with shipping disruptions significantly affecting global energy supplies.

Sources: The Times of Israel, Reuters, Associated Press (1), The UN Refugee Agency, Associated Press (2)

On 3 February, the government approved a resolution allowing women to legally obtain motorcycle licences and ride motorcycles, representing a limited expansion of women’s rights and freedom of movement. Although women had already ridden motorcycles in practice, the traffic law did not explicitly provide for women to obtain licences, as the relevant provision referred specifically to issuing motorcycle licenses to ‘men’ and had been used by authorities to deny licenses to women.

Sources: Al Monitor

On 28 December, a wave of protests erupted across Iran, marking one of the most serious episodes of unrest since the Woman, Life, Freedom protests in 2022-2023. The demonstrations began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where shopkeepers closed their businesses in protest against soaring inflation and the collapse of the national currency. Although initially driven by economic grievances, the protests rapidly started to spread across the country, evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations with the participation of large sectors society, including students, workers and retirees. In the final days of the month, security forces responded using tear gas, beatings and carrying out mass arrests. The protests intensified as they continued into January 2026, with at least 6,000 people killed.

Update: On 8 January, Iranian authorities imposed a near-total nationwide internet blackout as anti-government protests continued to spread across the country. Human rights organizations reported that the blackout coincided with an intensification of the security crackdown.

Sources: Associated Press (1), Middle East Eye, The Guardian, Iran International, International IDEA, Associated Press (2), Human Rights Watch

Between 13 and 24 June, Israel launched a major air offensive against Iran, killing at least 935 people, including women and children, and injuring thousands of others. The airstrikes, which Israeli authorities claimed aimed to target nuclear facilities, hit critical infrastructure, including seven medical centres, as well as water and energy facilities, causing blackouts and fuel shortages, and limiting access to medical care. A 23 June strike on Evin Prison killed at least 70 people, including inmates, staff and civilians. The attacks caused mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands fleeing cities like Tehran. The United States also launched a strike on a nuclear facility on 22 June. The United Nations condemned these actions as serious violations of international law. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran was reached on 24 June.

*Since the impact of these events are felt primarily in Iran, they are coded in the entries for the latter. While they are not coded for Israel, it is Israeli action that causes the effects on democracy in Iran.

Sources: Associated Press, Arab News, The New Arab, Middle East Eye, United Nations (1), United Nations (2)