Iran has begun the process of introducing a law that would criminalise contact with foreign media. Human rights organisations have stated that this move aims to "sever the entire Iranian society from the rest of the world."
The proposed legislation, currently under discussion by Iranian lawmakers, could potentially classify speaking to international audiences and groups as a criminal act for journalists, researchers, and ordinary citizens. This could also restrict coverage of events such as the mass anti-regime protests in January.
Moein Khazaeli, an Iranian human rights lawyer at Dadban, indicated that the bill would encompass social media platforms considered by the regime to be "financed" by other countries, including Instagram and X. Khazaeli stated that any interview, contact, or sending of photographs to foreign media or organisations could result in six months to two years' imprisonment, unless the intelligence ministry is informed beforehand.
The proposed law follows the recent sentencing of photojournalist Yalda Moaiery to 15 years in prison in Tehran. Moaiery was charged under an espionage law introduced after last year's 12-day war between Iran and Israel, for documenting the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Bahar Ghandehari, director of advocacy at the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), described the new law as risking turning Iran into an "isolated black hole." Ghandehari added that it is an attempt to criminalise the free flow of information and could transform ordinary academic, professional, and civic engagement into a potential national security crime.