Influential Iranian parliamentarian Alaeddin Boroujerdi created a stir in Iranian media when he said that by April 20, the popular messaging service Telegram, with tens of millions of users in Iran, would be blocked. “This was a decision made at the highest levels, and Telegram will be replaced by a domestic app,” said Boroujerdi, the head of the parliament’s powerful National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.
Addressing the use of Telegram during popular protests in January, Boroujerdi said that the decision had been made because of Telegram's “destructive role” and Iran’s ability to offer Soroush as a replacement service. Telegram currently has 40 million users in Iran, while Soroush has 3 million. Telegram is widely used for businesses transactions.
