Iran parliament votes to criminalise interviews with 'hostile' foreign media

The bill passed 174 to six despite cabinet opposition, carrying penalties of up to two years in prison, fines and flogging for Iranians who speak to outlets designated as hostile by the Intelligence Ministry. The bill has not yet become law and faces Guardian Council review. Iran's parliament voted 174 to six on Tuesday to pass an article banning Iranian nationals from giving interviews to or participating in discussions with media outlets designated as "hostile" by the Intelligence Ministry, or with outlets owned, managed or funded by operatives connected to countries classified as adversaries of the Islamic Republic. Violations of Article 22 of the bill on "countering the penetration of intelligence services and foreign governments or entities" carry sixth-degree penalties under the Islamic Penal Code, including imprisonment of more than six months up to two years, fines, 31 to 74 lashes, deprivation of social rights and other restrictions. The bill classifies foreign governments into two tiers: a "level 1 government" is a state formally designated as hostile under Iranian law or by decision of the Supreme National Security Council. "Level 2" is defined as a state that has planned or carried out actions aimed at damaging Tehran's political, defence, security, economic, social or cultural interests. The list of level two governments is to be drawn up by the Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC intelligence organisation, then approved by 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 at the same sitting. President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet had formally opposed the bill. At its 22 August meeting, the cabinet said the legislation had "serious flaws," including restrictions on scientific activity, the acceleration of elite emigration and negative consequences at national and international level. First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref had warned of consequences for science and technology. Presidential legal deputy Majid Ansari said "criminalising broad and general categories in this 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 Parliament also passed Article 20 of the same bill, under which anyone who accesses unpublished official information by virtue of their job may not share it with a foreign agent without prior authorisation. 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.