Legislation equates any form of cooperation with Israel, the U.S., or “enemy states” to treason, introducing capital punishment and heavy prison sentences for a wide range of offenses.

Tehran, July 1 —
Iran’s parliament has passed a sweeping and controversial new law that mandates the death penalty for any citizen found to have connections with Israel. The legislation, which was approved on Tuesday, casts a wide net by also criminalizing interactions with other so-called “hostile states,” including the United States, and introduces strict penalties for activities deemed threatening to national security.

The new law defines communication, espionage, or collaboration with Israel, the U.S., and other adversarial nations as acts of "corruption on Earth"—a term used in Iranian law for the gravest offenses against the state. Such offenses are now punishable by death.

According to the law, any individual found providing military, economic, or technological assistance to Israel will face the maximum penalty, with no exceptions. The legislation also targets cyber activities and media offenses, expanding the government's authority to suppress both foreign influence and domestic dissent.

One of the most notable provisions of the new law criminalizes the use, sale, or storage of unauthorized internet equipment, including Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service. Possession or trade of such devices can lead to imprisonment ranging from six months to two years. If someone is caught importing or manufacturing more than ten such devices, they could face five to ten years in prison.

This move appears to be aimed at curbing internet freedom and preventing Iranians from accessing information beyond the government’s control. In recent years, the use of satellite internet services like Starlink has grown in popularity among citizens seeking unrestricted access to global media and communication platforms.

The law further stipulates capital punishment for individuals involved in producing military drones without government authorization, conducting cyberattacks, or launching physical assaults on Iranian installations on behalf of foreign entities. Even attempts or conspiracies to carry out such actions will be treated as equally punishable by death.

The Iranian government argues that such strict measures are necessary to preserve national security, especially amid growing tensions with Israel and the West. However, human rights organizations and international observers have condemned the move, calling it a dangerous escalation in the repression of civil liberties.

The legislation also introduces harsh penalties for spreading false or misleading information that could, in the government’s view, harm national security. Those found guilty of producing such content may face between 10 to 15 years in prison.

Moreover, sending videos or photographs to foreign media outlets—if deemed to lower public morale or undermine the state—can result in two to five years of imprisonment.

Critics argue that these provisions could be used to silence journalists, whistleblowers, and ordinary citizens who document state abuses or protest government policies.

This law comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Iran and Israel remaining bitter enemies. Tehran has long accused Tel Aviv and its allies of orchestrating sabotage operations, cyberattacks, and intelligence activities within Iranian borders.

Observers fear that the new law will exacerbate already strained relations and may be used as a tool for political repression. It also signals an increasingly aggressive stance by the Iranian regime toward perceived internal and external threats.

Human rights watchdogs and Western governments are expected to issue formal statements in response to the law. Early reactions suggest that the legislation could trigger further sanctions or diplomatic isolation for Iran, particularly if executions or mass arrests follow its enforcement.