ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government has openly challenged a conservative-backed parliamentary bill that would criminalize or sharply restrict cooperation with foreign universities and institutions, arguing that it violates Iran’s constitution, threatens scientific development and could accelerate the country’s “brain drain.”
Majid Ansari, Pezeshkian’s vice president for legal affairs, said that the government had formally opposed the proposed “Bill to Counter the Infiltration of Foreign Intelligence Services, Governments and Institutions” back in October 19 when it was reviewed by the cabinet.
“There were fundamental problems with its provisions and various articles, the government formally declared its opposition and sent that position to parliament. Therefore, the government’s official position is opposition to this bill,” Ansari told IRNA.
He cited three principal concerns: serious restrictions on Iran’s scientific development, the risk of accelerating the migration of highly skilled Iranians, and damage to the country’s image at home and abroad.
Iranian authorities have taken a harsh approach to any form of communication with institutions and bodies it deems a threat since the beginning of the 12-day war last year, detaining large numbers of people on various charges including disseminating photos and videos of the protests and aftermath of the airstrikes. Authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout cutting a 90-million population from outside communication during the January protests and again, following the war with the US in late February for 88 consecutive days.
The government’s open intervention appears to mark a significant pushback by Pezeshkian’s administration against legislation promoted by parliament’s conservative majority at a time when Iranian authorities are taking an increasingly security-driven approach to contacts with the outside world.
The parliament approved the bill’s general principles on Sunday with 183 votes in favor, although its individual provisions still have to be debated and approved before being sent to the Guardian Council, which oversees parliamentary legislation.
A draft of the legislation would restrict cooperation with foreign educational institutions, including universities, unless approved by the authorities. It would also empower the Intelligence Ministry to publish lists of foreign universities and institutions with which Iranians would be permitted to cooperate.
The bill extends well beyond academia. It would criminalize certain contacts with US and Israeli media and outlets funded by either country, impose restrictions on receiving foreign funding or training, and regulate the transfer of information, photographs and other material to foreign organizations.
The Ministry of Intelligence and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization would assume central roles in investigating suspected violations and providing evidence to the judiciary. A committee including representatives from the intelligence, foreign and interior ministries, as well as IRGC Intelligence, would also oversee some forms of foreign funding and cooperation.
Ansari rejected the premise that Iran lacks sufficient laws to deal with genuine espionage or foreign intelligence penetration.
“We do not have a legal vacuum for confronting the infiltration of hostile intelligence agencies,” he said, stressing that the government’s opposition to the bill did not constitute its opposition to countering foreign espionage.
