Iran Plans to Lift Telegram Ban After Eight-Year Restriction

The Iranian government has officially confirmed the start of negotiations with Telegram’s administration on the possible lifting of the platform’s ban, which has been in place since 2018. The messenger was restricted following mass protests and accusations of spreading extremist materials. According to representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Information Technology, the talks on restoring Telegram’s operation are proceeding positively.

A key topic of discussion is national security. The Iranian side insists on stricter content monitoring to prevent the dissemination of materials related to violence, terrorism, or subversive activity. The parties are also discussing mechanisms for Telegram to cooperate with Iran’s judiciary in removing channels that violate local laws.

Special attention is being paid to user data protection. Tehran demands legal guarantees that user information will not be transferred to foreign intelligence services or third parties without the official consent of Iranian authorities. Telegram representatives have not yet made public statements, but sources report the company is open to considering partial localization of content moderation.

The Ministry of Culture and Information Technology stated that lifting the ban may become part of a broader reform of the country’s digital landscape. Iran is gradually expanding its domestic communication infrastructure and introducing new regulatory standards for social media aimed at building “digital sovereignty.”

Despite years of restrictions, Telegram remains one of the most popular messengers among Iranians. According to analytics reports, millions of users continue to access the service via VPNs. The potential unblocking is viewed as a step toward normalizing the digital environment and easing tensions between the government and society regarding access to information.

Some experts believe the initiative also reflects political shifts and the authorities’ desire to improve Iran’s international image amid growing global attention to online privacy and user rights. However, Tehran emphasizes that unblocking will occur only if all national security requirements are met.

If an agreement is reached, Telegram could officially return to Iran’s digital space in early 2026. The ministry announced that successful negotiations would establish new usage regulations balancing communication freedom and security control.

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