Anti-infiltration bill: Esmail Kowsari says citizens must give notice before leaving the country

Esmail Kowsari, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Islamic Republic's parliament, said on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, that under the "anti-infiltration" bill, citizens who intend to leave the country must give notice before travelling. He gave no details on which body the notice would go to or by what mechanism.

Kowsari did not describe the requirement as a restriction on the public and said its aim is to make travellers aware so that, in his words, they do not become "a tool in the hands of others". He said parliament has so far reviewed 22 of the bill's 33 articles and the remaining articles will be finalised in upcoming sessions.

What the anti-infiltration bill is

On 16 August 2026, members of parliament approved the outline of the bill "countering infiltration by intelligence services and foreign governments or entities" with 183 votes in favour, four against and five abstentions. After final approval, the bill must go to the Guardian Council.

According to the published text, citizens' conversations with free Persian-language media abroad, which the Ministry of Intelligence labels "hostile", would be criminalised and carry a sixth-degree punishment. Research cooperation and writing articles with foreign universities not approved by the Ministry of Science or security bodies could also be treated as a crime.

Opposition to the bill

On 23 August, Masoud Pezeshkian's government opposed the bill, calling it contrary to citizens' rights and a factor in intensifying the brain drain. Mohammad Javad Ansari, the president's legal deputy, had said part of the bill's articles conflict with the Islamic Republic's constitution and that most of its penalties target academics. Critics see the bill as a new tool for controlling citizens' travel, communications and contact with the world.

The requirement to give notice before travel comes as the Islamic Republic has deliberately slowed internet speeds in recent months and imposed new restrictions on citizens' communications.

A member of parliament's National Security Committee announced that citizens will be required to give notice before leaving the country; the bill would also criminalise talking to free media.