Iran advances bill criminalizing contact with hostile foreign media, up to 30 years

Iran's government passed the first draft of a bill that would impose severe penalties, including up to 30 years in prison, on citizens who engage with foreign media deemed hostile. The bill signals a tightening of state control over information and dissent, though it requires further legislative steps before becoming law. This escalates Iran's crackdown on independent journalism and could deter international reporting from within the country.