Iran - August 2026

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