Press Release
The Hague, Netherlands – 18 August 2026
For decades, students, academics, and researchers in Iran have faced political and security interference in higher education. The proposed bill, “Countering the Infiltration of Foreign Intelligence Services, Governments, or Entities,” takes this pattern a step further: the reach of security control now extends beyond Iran’s borders, potentially subjecting Iranians’ educational and academic ties with universities and institutions abroad to security scrutiny and criminal penalties.
Under the published text, receiving scholarships or educational grants, undertaking visiting fellowships, and engaging in academic or research collaboration with foreign universities and institutions not included on a list approved by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence may be subject to criminal penalties. Decisions that should belong to individuals and the academic sphere would thus become subject to the judgment and approval of security agencies.
Academic freedom does not end at the classroom or university gates. Access to knowledge, the choice of where to study, scholarships, research collaboration, participation in academic networks, and free exchange with scholars and academic institutions in other countries are integral to education and research today.
Iran Academia calls on the international academic community and organizations defending academic freedom to speak out against the extension of security control into education and cross-border academic collaboration, and against the criminalization of ordinary academic activities. We call on them to defend the right of Iranian students and researchers to participate freely and without fear in the global academic community.
Studying is not a crime. Research is not a crime. Academic exchange with the world is not a crime.
Iran Academia | Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities (ISSH)
References and Further Reading
- Vokalapress (Persian): Published text of the proposed bill, “Countering the Infiltration of Foreign Intelligence Services, Governments, or Entities”
https://vokalapress.ir/متن-طرح-مقابله-با-نفوذ-سرویسهای-اطلا/amp/
https://vokalapress.ir/متن-طرح-مقابله-با-نفوذ-سرویسهای-اطلا/amp/ - Khabar Online (Persian): Report on the proposed bill, including provisions concerning scholarships, academic cooperation, and contacts with foreign institutions
https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/2100807/
https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/2100807/ - Reuters: Iranian parliament advances bill to curb foreign influence
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/iranian-parliament-votes-further-criminalise-interviews-with-hostile-media-2026-08-16/
