On Sunday, August 16, members of the Iranian Parliament, still holding sessions virtually following the 39-day war, passed the general outline of a 33-article draft bill. The legislation effectively nullifies civil rights in Iran that previously existed, at least on paper. Titled “Countering Foreign Influence,” the bill was introduced by the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in a virtual open session. If fully enacted by Parliament and the Guardian Council, it will grant extraordinary powers to security agencies, including the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Organization, placing all activities and communications of individuals and legal entities with foreign institutions under state control under the guise of combating influence.
Mohammad Oliyaeifard, a legal scholar and legal advisor to IranWire, states that if passed into law, the bill represents a complete instance of tyranny under the name of law, where even a simple visa application could be criminalized if not reported to the government.
Key Provisions and Scope of the Bill
Drafted in 33 articles, the bill relies heavily on vague legal concepts, delegating definition authority to the Ministry of Intelligence and IRGC Intelligence, subject to approval by the Supreme National Security Council, a mechanism legal experts note violates existing constitutional frameworks.
