Iranian authorities say they could restore access to Telegram if the messaging app agrees to a set of government conditions, according to RBC citing the Mehr news agency.
Tehran reportedly demanded that Telegram restrict content promoting terrorism or threatening national security, and remove materials in response to citizen complaints. The government also wants the company to cooperate with Iran’s judicial system and pledge not to share user data with foreign intelligence agencies.
According to Iran International, a government committee has not yet discussed lifting bans on Telegram, YouTube, or Instagram*. Decisions regarding foreign platforms are made under a 32-point plan approved by President Masoud Pezeshkian. Earlier, access to Google Play and WhatsApp* was restored under similar terms.
Telegram was banned in Iran in 2018 after security forces accused it of being used to coordinate protests. At the time, more than half of Iranians were active users of the app. Following the ban, government institutions and officials — including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — stopped using Telegram, citing the need to “protect national interests and end the app’s monopoly.”
The service was first blocked in late December 2017 amid widespread demonstrations across the country. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, said Iranian authorities demanded the closure of opposition and protest-related channels, which the company refused to do.
*Owned by Meta Platforms, which is banned and designated as extremist in Russia.
Source: RBC
