Iran to block Telegram, nation’s widely used social media app

The Telegram app, as shown in Russia. (Feoktistov Dmitry/TASS/Zuma Press/TNS)

TEHRAN, Iran: Telegram, the most popular social media app in Iran, will be blocked nationwide, state media reported Sunday. 

The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi, the telecommunications minister, as saying the app used by an estimated 40 million Iranians – half the population – would be blocked starting 10am April 9.