Iran set to impose longer prison terms for any contact with foreign media

Iran's parliament passed a resolution early this week that would increase punishments for Iranians who interact in any way with foreign media outlets, organizations or individuals. If the legislation is approved by higher authorities as expected, any contact with U.S. media entities, foreign embassies or institutions — whether it takes place inside or outside Iran — could land an Iranian in prison for up to two years unless they first obtain explicit written permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to state media.There are already very strict laws in Iran against sending information to exiled, foreign-backed Iranian media outlets, such as Iran International, or the U.S. and U.K. government-funded VOA Farsi and BBC Farsi. But the new legislation would go further, imposing extensive punishment on Iranians for any written or verbal contact with foreigners — especially foreign media.The legislation would also ban educational and research activities linked to foreign entities, with a possible 10-year prison sentence for any person found to be involved in activities deemed "incompatible with Iranian culture." A woman walks next to a banner with a picture of Iran's Supre...