Iran’s Parliament Approves Publication of “Hostile” Media List

Iranian parliament representatives have mandated the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to publicly release a list of media outlets classified as “hostile.” This decision was made as part of the “Countering Foreign Infiltration” bill, which under Article 22 stipulates that Iranian citizens engaging in dialogue with designated media outlets may face imprisonment, fines, flogging, and deprivation of social rights.

According to reports from Euronews Persian and Iranian media outlets, parliament representatives on Sunday, November 25, 2026 (October 25, 2026 in the Western calendar), agreed to add a provision to Article 22 of the “Countering Foreign Infiltration” bill. According to this provision, the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Organization must publish the list of media outlets covered under this article within a maximum of three months from the enactment of the law and inform the public of any subsequent changes.

Article 22 of the bill prohibits Iranian citizens from conducting interviews or participating in dialogue with media outlets or individuals designated as “hostile” by the Ministry of Intelligence, unless such contact is conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in the bill. This restriction also applies to media outlets owned, managed, or funded by individuals affiliated with countries classified as “Tier One” or “Tier Two” states.

Penalties for violating this article, in accordance with the sixth-degree penalties of the Islamic Penal Code, may include imprisonment of more than six months to two years, monetary fines, 31 to 74 lashes, and deprivation of social rights. In the approved text, official authorities are exempted from the scope of this article.

According to the bill’s definition, a “Tier One state” is a government that has been recognized as hostile under law or by decision of the Supreme National Security Council. A “Tier Two state” refers to a government that, as determined by the mechanism outlined in the bill, has planned or carried out actions intended to harm Iran’s interests in political, defense, security, economic, social, or cultural spheres.

This decision was made while the Ministry of Intelligence had previously introduced a list comprising 44 media outlets, 61 individuals classified as “media personas,” and 310 pages and user accounts on social media networks within the framework of the law increasing penalties for espionage and cooperation with hostile governments. The published list includes media outlets such as Iran International, Iran Wire, BBC Persian, Radio Farda, and Voice of America.

Critics’ primary concern is the expansion of security restrictions to media communications and citizens’ right to access information. Critics of the bill have warned that broad and interpretable definitions of concepts such as “hostile” and “infiltration” could expose journalists, civil activists, researchers, and citizens who communicate with foreign media to criminal prosecution. Within such a framework, even media contact without disclosing classified information may face the risk of legal prosecution.

The government of Masoud Pezeshkian had previously opposed certain sections of the bill and warned about its consequences for scientific activities, international cooperation, and citizens’ rights. Nevertheless, parliament has continued reviewing and approving its articles.

Despite the passage of Article 22 and the related provision on publishing the media list, the legislative process has not yet concluded. The approved bill must pass the remaining stages in parliament and be sent to the Guardian Council for review. Therefore, parliament’s approval alone does not mean that these restrictions will be enforced.

If this bill becomes law, it could expand the scope of security agencies’ intervention in citizens’ communications with media outlets and intensify concerns about freedom of expression, journalistic independence, and free access to information.