# Iran Parliament Criminalizes Foreign Media Interviews

> Iran's parliament votes to criminalize interviews with 'hostile' foreign media outlets.
- Title: Iran Parliament Criminalizes Foreign Media Interviews
- Summary: Iran's parliament votes to criminalize interviews with 'hostile' foreign media outlets. Iran's parliament passed a law penalizing Iranian citizens for…
- Keywords: iran, parliament, intelligence ministry, hostile media, islamic republic, islamic penal code, law enforcement, media regulation, news, world, politics, Criminalizes
- Source: euronews — https://euronews.com/2026/10/07/iran-parliament-votes-to-criminalise-interviews-with-hostile-foreign-media
- Published: 2026-10-07T13:27:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iran, parliament, intelligence ministry, hostile media, islamic republic, islamic penal code, law enforcement, media regulation, news, world, politics
## Iran Parliament Passes New Law
Iran's parliament voted 174 to six on Tuesday to ban Iranian nationals from interviewing media outlets designated as 'hostile' by the Intelligence Ministry.
## Penalties for Violations
Violations of Article 22 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, and deprivation of social rights.
## Two-Tiered Hostile Classification
The bill classifies foreign governments into two tiers: level 1 states formally designated as hostile under iranian law or by the supreme national security council, and level 2 states that have planned or carried out actions damaging tehran's political, defense, security, economic, social, or cultural interests.
## Government Officials Exempted
A proposal by Tehran MP Alireza Salimi to exempt government officials from Article 22 was approved at the same parliamentary session.
## Cabinet Opposed the Bill
President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet had formally opposed the bill, citing serious flaws including restrictions on scientific activity and negative consequences at national and international levels.
## Science and Technology Concerns
First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref warned of consequences for science and technology, while Presidential legal deputy Majid Ansari said criminalizing broad categories could harm citizens' rights.
## Key takeaway

Iran's parliament passed a law penalizing Iranian citizens for interviewing media outlets labeled hostile by the Intelligence Ministry, including imprisonment up to two years and 31-74 lashes.