Iran advances law that would criminalize contact with foreign media and restrict information flow
New bill in Iran could make contact with foreign media a criminal offense punishable by up to two years in prison
Assessment
Iran is advancing legislation that would criminalize contact with foreign media, carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison. This is a direct escalation in the regime's information control, targeting both journalists and ordinary citizens who might share or receive outside reporting. The law's passage would further isolate Iranians from independent news sources, tightening the state's grip on what reaches the public. Watch for how international press freedom groups and foreign broadcasters respond to this new restriction.