Rouhani takes aim at blocking of messaging app in Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has criticised the decision to block the popular Telegram messaging application, suggesting those “at the highest level” shut off its access.

Mr Rouhani did not elaborate in his online comments late on Friday but they appear to be aimed at redirecting domestic anger over the blocking of the app, believed to be used by half of Iran’s 80 million people. It was crucial in fanning nationwide protests in December and January.

Authorities temporarily blocked the app to calm demonstrations but Iran’s judiciary on Monday ordered internet service providers to block it again. Since then, users have been unable to access it.

Tehran’s prosecutor also ordered Telegram to be blocked in a way that would not allow users to bypass the restrictions using a virtual private network or other means.

Iranians routinely use VPNs to get around online restrictions in the country to use Facebook, Twitter and other prohibited sites.

In a post on photo-sharing app Instagram, which is not blocked in Iran, Mr Rouhani wrote: “No social network or messenger were blocked by this government and won’t be blocked. “If at the highest level of the system a decision has been made to restrict or block the people’s communications, the real owners of this country, which are the people, should be aware of this.”

Telegram allows users to send text messages, pictures and video over the internet. The service says it is being highly encrypted and allows users to set their messages to “self-destruct” after a certain period, making it a favourite among activists and others concerned about their privacy.

The head of Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said last month that Telegram would be blocked.

Authorities have been trying to convince people to use Iranian-made messaging apps instead.