Legislation8/16/2026

Iranian Parliament Classifies Interviews with Israeli Media as a Criminal Offense

The Iranian parliament approved a bill that makes giving an interview to media outlets classified as hostile a criminal offense. The restriction applies to Israeli and American media outlets, as well as to organizations funded by Israel or the United States.

Key facts

•Decision: Approval of a bill by the Iranian parliament
•Report date: August 16, 2026
•Prohibition: Giving interviews to hostile media outlets
•Scope: Israeli and American media outlets and those funded by the two countries
•Sentence mentioned: 15 years in prison

What the Parliament Decided

The bill was approved on August 16, 2026. According to the report, criminal liability was established for giving an interview to media outlets classified as hostile by the Iranian authorities. The source did not state the name of the law, the offenses stipulated in it, or the specific penalties.

Which Media Outlets Are Covered by the Ban

The prohibited category includes, among others, Israeli and American media outlets. The provision also applies to media organizations funded by Israel or the United States. The source does not explain the mechanism for classifying a particular media outlet as hostile.

The Sentence Imposed on the Photojournalist

The report also stated that an Iranian photojournalist was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The charges against her included giving interviews to media outlets classified as hostile and transferring photographs to organizations linked to the United States and Israel. The journalist's name, the court, the date of the ruling, and how the sentence was divided among the different charges were not stated.

Legal Context for Israel

This concerns a decision by the Iranian parliament, not a change in Israeli legislation. The source does not report the imposition of any new duties or restrictions on residents of Israel. The practical significance of the report relates primarily to the risks faced by people subject to Iranian jurisdiction who communicate with Israeli media outlets.

What this means for you

For the general public in Israel, this step does not in itself change Israeli law. However, it may make it more difficult for Israeli media organizations to obtain responses and materials from people located in Iran, because such communications could lead to criminal prosecution there.

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Case analysis based on court rulings