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iranintl.com – Iran’s parliament approved an amended section of a bill aimed at countering foreign influence on Tuesday, setting out definitions for foreign governments, foreign agents and a broad range of contacts with foreign entities, state media reported.
Lawmakers approved Article 2 of the bill during a virtual session, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The measure divides foreign governments into three categories. The first covers states designated as hostile under Iranian law or by the Supreme National Security Council, while the second includes countries deemed to have acted to harm Iran’s political, defense, security, economic, social or cultural interests.
A list of countries in the second category would be proposed by the Intelligence Ministry and the intelligence arm of the Revolutionary Guards and approved by the Supreme National Security Council. Other countries would fall into a third category.
The article also defines covered activities broadly to include financial transactions, legal services, academic cooperation, scholarships, media work, exchanges of scientific and medical samples and participation in cultural or educational events.
Parliament approved the general framework of the legislation earlier this month. A publicly available draft included prison terms and other penalties for some contacts with foreign media, embassies, universities and organizations, although the final law could change as lawmakers review its provisions.
The draft would also give the Intelligence Ministry and Revolutionary Guards’ Intelligence Organization a central role in identifying prohibited foreign links.
The government has opposed the bill. Vice President for Legal Affairs Majid Ansari said last week that it conflicted with Iran’s constitution and citizens’ rights, and that the government had formally notified parliament of its objections after reviewing the measure.
Article 2 provides for an online system to register and monitor contacts and activities involving foreign agents or foreign nationals, IRNA reported.
