Iran Lawmakers Back Public 'Hostile Media' List in Pending Interview Bill

Iranian lawmakers voted on 25 October 2026 to add a public-list requirement to a proposed law restricting interviews with media that authorities designate as hostile. Under the amendment to Article 22 of the foreign-influence bill, the Intelligence Ministry and the intelligence organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would have to compile and publish the relevant list within three months after the law is formally notified, and make subsequent changes public. The requirement is conditional on the bill becoming law; it is not evidence that the new provision is already enforceable.

Iranian domestic reporting described the amendment as a requirement for public notice of outlets and media figures covered by the proposed restrictions. Persian-language Euronews separately reported the vote and the three-month period. The amendment does not itself establish that the final list has been issued, or that any particular person has been convicted under the proposed Article 22.

The underlying article, approved by lawmakers earlier in October, would restrict interviews and discussions by Iranian citizens with outlets or media figures designated as hostile by the Intelligence Ministry, as well as certain foreign-linked outlets. Violations could attract sixth-degree penalties under Iran's Islamic Penal Code. Government officials were exempted in the draft. These are proposed provisions, not a statement that the full bill has completed Iran's legislative process.

The distinction matters for journalists and their sources: the amendment would make the designation list publicly available, while the underlying restrictions could expose interviews with designated media to criminal penalties if the legislation takes effect. The government's legal deputy had previously warned that broadly defined offences could damage citizens' rights, and the cabinet had objected to parts of the bill. The government's objections and the security rationale advanced by supporters are relevant context, not proof that the measure has passed final constitutional review.

Iran's Guardian Council must review legislation before it can take effect. The next verifiable developments are the Council's decision, any amended final text, the formal date of promulgation and any public list actually issued under the new provision. Earlier official lists issued under other laws should not be confused with this prospective requirement.