Iran’s parliament has overwhelmingly approved an amendment to increase the punishment for espionage.
According to the newly revised law, anyone found involved in intelligence gathering, espionage, or operational activities for enemy states or groups may face the death penalty along with the confiscation of property.
The proposal designates Iran’s Supreme National Security Council as the authority to identify enemy states and groups, while the Ministry of Intelligence will be responsible for identifying enemy networks. The council now holds the power to label any state or group as an enemy, beyond the United States and Israel, which are already officially considered adversaries.
Previously, Iran’s law did not clearly define what constituted an enemy state or group. This lack of clarity led Iran’s Guardian Council to reject the earlier version of the proposal, returning it to parliament for revision.
Another key provision in the law criminalizes sending information or videos to enemy or foreign networks with the intent to spread division among the public or harm national security. These actions are now classified as crimes, carrying penalties such as imprisonment and permanent dismissal from government or public service roles.
Under the revised law, no appeals can be filed against sentences except in cases of the death penalty. In such cases, appeals must be submitted to the Supreme Court within 10 days.
This resolution comes amid reports of significant intelligence breaches inside Iran, particularly following Israeli attacks. Many Iranian lawyers have criticized the newly passed law, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights has raised concerns over its implications.
