Iran's parliament approves death penalty for cooperation with Israel, US

Iran’s parliament has passed a law imposing the death penalty for cooperation with Israel, the US, or hostile groups, while also criminalizing unauthorized use of tools like Starlink to bypass internet restrictions.

The legislation classifies any collaboration with Israel and the United States as “corruption on earth”, which is punishable by death.

“Any intelligence, espionage, or operational activity for Israel, the US, or other hostile regimes and groups or their agents against the country’s security or national interests is considered corruption on earth and punishable by death,” the law says.

It further criminalizes “any security, military, economic, financial, technological action or any direct or indirect assistance knowingly done to approve, strengthen, consolidate, or legitimize Israel,” also punishable by death.

The third article specifies that manufacturing, transferring, or importing drones with military or sabotage uses against critical infrastructure qualifies for the death penalty. It also includes cyberattacks, disruption of communication networks, and sabotage of public or private facilities.

The law penalizes receiving funds from intelligence agents knowingly, regardless of active involvement.

Political, cultural, media, or propaganda activities causing public fear, division, or damage to national security carry 10 to 15 years imprisonment.

Sharing content with "hostile foreign networks" that weakens morale or creates division results in two to five years in prison.

Illegal wartime protests carry five to ten years imprisonment.

The use or import of unauthorized internet communication tools like Starlink is punishable by six months to two years in prison, according to the law.

Importing more than ten Starlink devices “with intent to oppose the Islamic Republic” results in five to ten years’ imprisonment.

The law applies retroactively to offenses committed before its enactment, violating Iran’s constitution and penal code provisions prohibiting retroactive laws, according to experts.