Iran's parliament has approved a controversial bill that would criminalise interviews and other communications with foreign media outlets considered hostile to the Islamic Republic, according to Iran's Shargh newspaper. The bill, which still requires review by the Guardian Council before it can become law, would prohibit interviews and participation in discussions with media outlets deemed hostile, including US and Israeli media and organisations financed by either country. Violations could result in prison sentences ranging from six months to two years.&nbsp;Under the proposed legislation, Iranian citizens seeking to give interviews to other foreign media organisations would have to notify the intelligence ministry. The bill would also impose restrictions on contact with foreign embassies, offices of foreign organisations and other non-Iranian institutions. Such contact without notification and written permission from the foreign ministry could lead to fines and the loss of certain social rights.&nbsp;The proposed law goes beyond media restrictions. It would increase penalties for economic crimes committed under the direction or supervision of foreigners and prohibit individuals from providing information to foreign parties without approval from the intelligence ministry. Scientific cooperation with foreign institutions would also be restricted to organisations included on an approved list.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cholera-outbreak-spreads-across-yangon-as-more-than-180-people-hospitalised-1786885971677">Cholera outbreak spreads across Yangon as more than 180 people hospitalised</a>&nbsp;The legislation further targets policy or legislative proposals allegedly made under the direction of foreign intelligence services. If such proposals are considered harmful to Iran's security or independence, offenders could face prison terms of up to 30 years. Cases brought under the proposed legislation would be handled by Iran's Revolutionary Courts.&nbsp;The move is not the first time Iran has introduced criminal penalties for cooperation with foreign entities. A law passed in 2025 following a 12-day war with Israel introduced tougher penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states. The latest development comes amid heightened scrutiny of journalists and other professionals accused of maintaining ties with foreign organisations.&nbsp;Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced this month to 15 years under the 2025 law. The allegations against her included giving interviews to media deemed hostile and providing photographs to US and Israel-linked organisations. The bill will need to clear the Guardian Council before it can take effect as law.

Iran parliament approves bill criminalising contact with hostile foreign media, tightening restrictions on journalists, foreign organisations and cooperation

Iran's parliament has approved a controversial bill that would criminalise interviews and other communications with foreign media outlets considered hostile to the Islamic Republic, according to Iran's Shargh newspaper. The bill, which still requires review by the Guardian Council before it can become law, would prohibit interviews and participation in discussions with media outlets deemed hostile, including US and Israeli media and organisations financed by either country. Violations could result in prison sentences ranging from six months to two years. Under the proposed legislation, Iranian citizens seeking to give interviews to other foreign media organisations would have to notify the intelligence ministry. The bill would also impose restrictions on contact with foreign embassies, offices of foreign organisations and other non-Iranian institutions. Such contact without notification and written permission from the foreign ministry could lead to fines and the loss of certain social rights. The proposed law goes beyond media restrictions. It would increase penalties for economic crimes committed under the direction or supervision of foreigners and prohibit individuals from providing information to foreign parties without approval from the intelligence ministry. Scientific cooperation with foreign institutions would also be restricted to organisations included on an approved list. Also Read: Cholera outbreak spreads across Yangon as more than 180 people hospitalised The legislation further targets policy or legislative proposals allegedly made under the direction of foreign intelligence services. If such proposals are considered harmful to Iran's security or independence, offenders could face prison terms of up to 30 years. Cases brought under the proposed legislation would be handled by Iran's Revolutionary Courts. The move is not the first time Iran has introduced criminal penalties for cooperation with foreign entities. A law passed in 2025 following a 12-day war with Israel introduced tougher penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states. The latest development comes amid heightened scrutiny of journalists and other professionals accused of maintaining ties with foreign organisations. Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced this month to 15 years under the 2025 law. The allegations against her included giving interviews to media deemed hostile and providing photographs to US and Israel-linked organisations. The bill will need to clear the Guardian Council before it can take effect as law.

Iran's parliament approves a bill criminalising contact with hostile foreign media, with prison terms of up to 30 years for some foreign-linked offences

Iran parliament approves bill criminalising contact with 'hostile' US, Israeli media

The conservative speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Monday registered his candidacy for the snap presidential election on June 28.

The election was originally to be held in 2025 but was brought forward following the unexpected death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi on May 19.

Raisi and seven members of his entourage, including foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were killed when their helicopter crashed on a fog-shrouded mountainside in northern Iran.

Like all the other hopefuls, Ghalibaf now has to wait until June 11 to see if his candidacy is approved by the Guardian Council, a conservative-dominated, 12-strong body of jurists, either appointed or approved by the supreme leader, which vets all candidates for public office.

This is Ghalibaf's fourth run at the presidency, following bids in 2005, 2013 and 2017. On his last attempt, Ghalibaf withdrew in favour of Raisi, who finished second to the moderate incumbent Hassan Rouhani.

"If I don't run for election, the work that we have started in the last few years to solve the economic problem of the people... will not be completed," he said after submitting his registration.

He added that if he did not believe that Iran's economic and social problems could be solved he "would never have entered the field of competition".

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Ghalibaf, 62, is a former commander of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the ideological arm of Iran's military.

The conservative politician was elected the speaker of the new Iranian parliament on 28 of May. He also held the post in the previous legislature.

An Iran-Iraq war veteran, Ghalibaf was mayor of Tehran from 2005 to 2017 and before that was chief of the Iranian police forces.

Candidate registration opened on Thursday and closes on Monday.

Other prominent figures including former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, moderate ex-parliament speaker Ali Larijani and ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili have also registered their bids.

The conservative speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Monday registered his candidacy for the snap presidential election on June 28. The election was originally to be held in 2025 but was brought forward following the unexpected death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi on May 19.

The conservative speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Monday registered his candidacy for the snap presidential election on June 28. The election was originally to be held in 2025 but was brought forward following the unexpected death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi on May 19. Raisi and seven members of his entourage, including foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were killed when their helicopter crashed on a fog-shrouded mountainside in northern Iran. Like all the other hopefuls, Ghalibaf now has to wait until June 11 to see if his candidacy is approved by the Guardian Council, a conservative-dominated, 12-strong body of jurists, either appointed or approved by the supreme leader, which vets all candidates for public office. This is Ghalibaf's fourth run at the presidency, following bids in 2005, 2013 and 2017. On his last attempt, Ghalibaf withdrew in favour of Raisi, who finished second to the moderate incumbent Hassan Rouhani. "If I don't run for election, the work that we have started in the last few years to solve the economic problem of the people... will not be completed," he said after submitting his registration. He added that if he did not believe that Iran's economic and social problems could be solved he "would never have entered the field of competition". Also read: Foreign national detained in Romania for throwing molotov cocktail outside Israeli embassy Ghalibaf, 62, is a former commander of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the ideological arm of Iran's military. The conservative politician was elected the speaker of the new Iranian parliament on 28 of May. He also held the post in the previous legislature. An Iran-Iraq war veteran, Ghalibaf was mayor of Tehran from 2005 to 2017 and before that was chief of the Iranian police forces. Candidate registration opened on Thursday and closes on Monday. Other prominent figures including former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, moderate ex-parliament speaker Ali Larijani and ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili have also registered their bids.

Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf launches presidential bid

Iran went to the polls Friday for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic slump, multiple crises and the disqualification of thousands of candidates.

The 11th parliamentary election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution comes after steeply escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner by Iranian air defences that sparked anti-government protests.

As he cast the first ballot in the election, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged all Iranians to take part, saying that doing so would "guarantee the country's national interests".

Voters formed long queues at polling stations in south Tehran, where conservatives have a solid support base, but far fewer were seen waiting to vote in upmarket northern neighbourhoods.

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One official accused Iran's enemies of overplaying an outbreak of the new coronavirus -- which authorities say has killed four people in the Islamic republic this week -- in a bid to harm the credibility of the election.

"The counter-revolutionaries' latest trick was to exaggerate the coronavirus news by saying that finger ink had been infected," Tehran election committee chief Shokrollah Hassanbeygi said, quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA.

In a bid to allay fears over the spread of the coronavirus, the use of ink-staining to stop people voting multiple times was made optional.

Experts predict a low turnout that they say will serve the conservatives at the expense of President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected in 2017 promising more freedoms and the benefits of engagement with the West.

'Useless'

Iran has been in deep recession since US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after unilaterally pulling out of a landmark nuclear deal in 2018.

"Our elections are useless," said Amir Mohtasham, who is 38 and jobless.

"Even the current parliament has 90 sitting MPs who are under investigation for financial corruption."

After seven hours of voting, more than 11 million of the 58 million people eligible to vote had done so, the interior ministry said.

Around half of the 16,033 hopefuls are contesting the 290 seats up for grabs across 31 provinces after the Guardian Council barred thousands of would-be candidates, mostly moderates and reformists.

Outgoing lawmaker Elyas Hazrati said he voted despite being disqualified.

"The Guardian Council said I don't accept Islam," he said.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the US slapped sanctions on five officials from the Council, including Ahmad Jannati, a powerful cleric.

Jannati laughed off the sanctions.

"I wonder, what are we going to do about all that money we have in American accounts?" the 92-year-old was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency after voting.

"Now we can't even go there for Christmas anymore!"

Rouhani under fire

The Guardian Council said it expected at least 50 per cent of registered voters to turn out, down from an average of 60.5 per cent at the past 10 elections.

Many voters have voiced disillusionment.

Real estate worker Alireza Hashemi, 25, criticised Rouhani's government.

"After we elected Rouhani everything collapsed. He signed a very bad (nuclear) deal and looked to the West without any real guarantees," he told AFP.

"Rouhani is very weak. He just looks to the West. If he considered his people's interests this would not have happened."

As he voted, the beleaguered president sought to put a positive spin on the election.

"We are very happy that another glorious day is being added to the history of our country and revolution," Rouhani said.

'Only a formality'

In November, demonstrations over petrol price hikes spread across Iran and turned violent before being crushed in a deadly crackdown.

Tehran and Washington have nearly gone to war twice in the past seven months, most recently after the US assassinated prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3.

Millions of people turned out to mourn his "martyrdom", but that unity suffered a blow after Iran admitted it had on January 8 accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner, killing 176 people.

The authorities denied for days that Iran was to blame, before owning up to a jittery reaction by a missile operator.

The disaster unfolded as Iran's defences were on high alert for US retaliation hours after it carried out missile strikes on American troops in Iraq in response to Soleimani's killing.

Voting for the parliament, or Majles, lasts 10 hours but can be extended. Final results are not expected before Sunday.

Apart from the parliament, voters will also choose replacements for deceased members of the Assembly of Experts, an 88-strong clerical body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader.

Iran went to the polls Friday for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic slump, multiple crises and the disqualification of thousands of candidates.

Iran went to the polls Friday for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic slump, multiple crises and the disqualification of thousands of candidates. The 11th parliamentary election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution comes after steeply escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner by Iranian air defences that sparked anti-government protests. As he cast the first ballot in the election, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged all Iranians to take part, saying that doing so would "guarantee the country's national interests". Voters formed long queues at polling stations in south Tehran, where conservatives have a solid support base, but far fewer were seen waiting to vote in upmarket northern neighbourhoods. × One official accused Iran's enemies of overplaying an outbreak of the new coronavirus -- which authorities say has killed four people in the Islamic republic this week -- in a bid to harm the credibility of the election. "The counter-revolutionaries' latest trick was to exaggerate the coronavirus news by saying that finger ink had been infected," Tehran election committee chief Shokrollah Hassanbeygi said, quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA. In a bid to allay fears over the spread of the coronavirus, the use of ink-staining to stop people voting multiple times was made optional. Experts predict a low turnout that they say will serve the conservatives at the expense of President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected in 2017 promising more freedoms and the benefits of engagement with the West. 'Useless' Iran has been in deep recession since US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after unilaterally pulling out of a landmark nuclear deal in 2018. "Our elections are useless," said Amir Mohtasham, who is 38 and jobless. "Even the current parliament has 90 sitting MPs who are under investigation for financial corruption." After seven hours of voting, more than 11 million of the 58 million people eligible to vote had done so, the interior ministry said. Around half of the 16,033 hopefuls are contesting the 290 seats up for grabs across 31 provinces after the Guardian Council barred thousands of would-be candidates, mostly moderates and reformists. Outgoing lawmaker Elyas Hazrati said he voted despite being disqualified. "The Guardian Council said I don't accept Islam," he said. On Thursday, the US slapped sanctions on five officials from the Council, including Ahmad Jannati, a powerful cleric. Jannati laughed off the sanctions. "I wonder, what are we going to do about all that money we have in American accounts?" the 92-year-old was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency after voting. "Now we can't even go there for Christmas anymore!" Rouhani under fire The Guardian Council said it expected at least 50 per cent of registered voters to turn out, down from an average of 60.5 per cent at the past 10 elections. Many voters have voiced disillusionment. Real estate worker Alireza Hashemi, 25, criticised Rouhani's government. "After we elected Rouhani everything collapsed. He signed a very bad (nuclear) deal and looked to the West without any real guarantees," he told AFP. "Rouhani is very weak. He just looks to the West. If he considered his people's interests this would not have happened." As he voted, the beleaguered president sought to put a positive spin on the election. "We are very happy that another glorious day is being added to the history of our country and revolution," Rouhani said. 'Only a formality' In November, demonstrations over petrol price hikes spread across Iran and turned violent before being crushed in a deadly crackdown. Tehran and Washington have nearly gone to war twice in the past seven months, most recently after the US assassinated prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3. Millions of people turned out to mourn his "martyrdom", but that unity suffered a blow after Iran admitted it had on January 8 accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner, killing 176 people. The authorities denied for days that Iran was to blame, before owning up to a jittery reaction by a missile operator. The disaster unfolded as Iran's defences were on high alert for US retaliation hours after it carried out missile strikes on American troops in Iraq in response to Soleimani's killing. Voting for the parliament, or Majles, lasts 10 hours but can be extended. Final results are not expected before Sunday. Apart from the parliament, voters will also choose replacements for deceased members of the Assembly of Experts, an 88-strong clerical body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader.

Conservatives seen tightening grip as Iran votes for parliament

Iran's parliament has unanimously passed a bill naming the United States' forces as "terrorists" over the assassination of top military commander Qassem Soleimani in an air attack in Iraq. Soleimani, the popular head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) foreign operations arm Quds Force, was killed in a US drone attack outside Baghdad airport on January 3, ratcheting up tensions between the arch-foes. #USForces #Iran #US #SoleimaniKilling #

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Iran parliament approves bill criminalising contact with 'hostile' US, Israeli media

Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf launches presidential bid

Conservatives seen tightening grip as Iran votes for parliament

WION Dispatch: Iran designates Pentagon as terrorist