On Sunday, August 23, the administration of Masoud Pezeshkian declared its opposition to a parliamentary plan aimed at countering what is termed the “influence of foreign intelligence services and foreign governments or entities,” a plan that imposes sweeping restrictions on Iranian citizens.
According to ISNA, during a Sunday evening Cabinet meeting, the administration reviewed a report by Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission regarding the plan and officially voted in opposition, citing “serious flaws.”
The government expressed specific concerns regarding “restrictions on academic activities, the acceleration of the elite brain drain, and the negative consequences of the plan both domestically and internationally.”
The general principles of the plan were approved by Parliament on August 16. Under its provisions, communicating with or giving interviews to foreign media outlets deemed “hostile” by the regime will face severe restrictions.
Majid Ansari, Legal Vice President to the President, stated on Sunday that the administration had formally submitted its written opposition to Parliament in October of last year. He also noted that the legislative process in Parliament was not conducted properly.
