Iran Parliament Approves Harsher Penalties for Contact with Foreign Media
Iran's parliament has passed a resolution that significantly increases punishments for Iranians who interact with foreign media outlets, organizations, or individuals. If approved by higher authorities, any contact with U.S. media entities, foreign embassies, or institutions, whether inside or outside Iran, could result in up to two years in prison unless explicit written permission is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This new legislation expands upon existing strict laws against providing information to exiled, foreign-backed Iranian media. Additionally, the bill would ban educational and research activities linked to foreign entities, with a potential 10-year prison sentence for involvement in activities deemed 'incompatible with Iranian culture.' The legislation is widely expected to gain final approval, reflecting the ruling clerics' bolstered support for societal restrictions amid ongoing regional tensions. 
