Al-Monitor- Amid fresh reports that the Iranian authorities are planning to block the popular messaging app Telegram, moderate President Hassan Rouhani has declared his opposition to such a move.


In a controversial interview on March 31, member of parliament Alaeddin Boroujerdi spoke of Telegram and the apparent decision to block the app. �This was a decision made at the�highest levels, and Telegram will be replaced by a domestic app,� said Boroujerdi. By �highest levels,� he is likely referring to officials ranking above Rouhani.

In reaction to the reports on the matter,�Rouhani said�in a meeting with a number of ministers, members of parliament and governors April 3, �Having strong, secure and cheaply priced Iranian messaging applications that can solve people's needs and problems will surely make everyone proud.� However, he added with reference to the blocking of Telegram, �The goal of creating and enhancing Iranian software and messaging apps should not be blocking access [to other apps], but [the goal] should be the elimination of monopolies.�

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