🔶 Dispute over the “Confronting Influence” bill; suppressing criticism in the name of security

The general approval of the bill known as “Confronting the influence of intelligence services and foreign governments or institutions in the country” by the Islamic Consultative Assembly has been met with a wave of criticism; criticisms that are raised not only by opponents of the Islamic Republic, but also from within the political establishment itself and even by the government of Masoud Pezeshkian.

The scope of opposition goes so far that Pezeshkian’s legal deputy has called the bill contrary to citizens’ rights and certain principles of the constitution, incompatible with the system’s general policies, and in some cases “contrary to religious standards,” and has called for it to be removed from the agenda of the parliament.

The 19-article “Confronting Influence” bill is intended to create a new framework for dealing with what it calls “the influence of intelligence services and foreign institutions.” Its scope, however, is not limited to espionage or the transfer of confidential information; it also includes interaction with media and foreign institutions, scientific and university collaborations, communication with embassies, receipt of certain forms of foreign financial support, and a number of political, cultural, and social activities.

The bill’s details have not yet been finalized in parliament, but this very broad scope and the possibility of securitizing and criminalizing communications that in normal conditions are considered part of citizens’ professional, academic, or civic activities have sparked widespread concerns.