Deepa Parent

Iranian lawmakers are considering legislation that would criminalize contact between Iranians and foreign media or organizations without prior notification to the intelligence ministry, potentially including interviews, photography and activity on platforms such as Instagram and X. Human rights advocates warn that the measure could turn journalism, academic work and ordinary civic engagement into national-security crimes and isolate Iranian society. The proposed crackdown follows the sentencing in absentia of photojournalist Yalda Moaiery to 15 years in prison for documenting the US-Israeli war and other protests. Moaiery, who has previously been arrested and amnestied, fears the sentence could be enforced and says the charges distort her long-standing criticism of both Israel and US policy.