Iran weighs harsh penalties for contact with outside media in ‘foreign influence’ bill

Iran weighs harsh penalties for contact with outside media in ‘foreign influence’ bill - The Washington Post

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Iran weighs harsh penalties for contact with outside media in ‘foreign influence’ bill

The push comes nearly six months after the U.S. and Israel launched the war, with no immediate diplomatic breakthrough in sight.

August 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. EDT

Today at 5:00 a.m. EDT

5 min

*Banners with pictures of the late supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are displayed in Tehran. (Majid Asgaripour/via REUTERS)*

By

Sammy Westfall

Iranian lawmakers are debating the details of a bill meant to curb “foreign influence,” including provisions that would criminalize contact with reporters for international outlets deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic — imposing penalties of up to two years in prison.

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