Since the introduction of Telegram in Iran, this messaging tool has been met with a strong reception from Iranian users. Today, it can be said that Telegram, with nearly 20 million Iranian users, is one of the most popular mobile messaging applications in Iran.

Most messaging applications that were previously used by Iranian users are now either filtered or experiencing serious disruptions, which has prompted Iranian users to turn to using this application. On the other hand, Telegram has more attractive features compared to other mobile applications, such as the ability to create channels and groups with more than 500 members.

One of the main reasons for Iranian migration to Telegram is the availability of the “secret chat” feature. This is because, based on the history of detentions and security measures taken against Iranian users due to their online activities, there was a need for a tool that would restore a sense of security to Iranian users.

This wave of joining Telegram has gone so far that even Iranian authorities and media have joined it. For example, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, the Minister of Communications, Kayhan newspaper, and many other Iranian authorities or institutions under their supervision have Telegram accounts and channels.

The role of Telegram in the tenth parliamentary elections.

Until before the 10th parliamentary elections, despite the presence of civil society on Telegram, no one had paid attention to the importance of the impact of this messaging app or social network on mobilizing and organizing political forces in Iran. Following the 10th parliamentary elections, reformist political forces or those close to them, due to the many limitations imposed by the government on their electoral activities, turned towards using online spaces, particularly Telegram.

During the election campaign, reformist candidates from the Hope Faction made maximum use of Telegram, and it can be confidently said that the use of Telegram was one of the reasons for the victory of the Hope list. Reformist representatives from the Hope Faction were actively present in their Telegram channels. Additionally, their supporters created Telegram bots to make it easier for Iranian users to find the Hope list candidate of their choice by simply selecting their province and city.

Another example of using Telegram is the video message of Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran, which can be counted as one of the main reasons for encouraging people to vote for the Hope List. Despite not being able to be broadcasted through official channels like radio and television, this video quickly spread through Telegram.

The people’s reception of Telegram and its impact on the results of the parliamentary elections led to a clear and public reaction from the defeated faction. Commander Kamal Hadianfar, the head of FATA police, commented on the extent of Telegram’s impact on the election space, stating: “79% of all election activities on social media were carried out on Telegram, and other networks such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. did not play a significant role.” (1).

In fact, despite not being a media platform in practice, Telegram has had a much greater impact on the Iranian election space; to the extent that, according to Seyed Asadollah Dehnad, the head of Iran’s Telecommunications Company, “every Iranian uses Telegram for more than 2 hours a day,” which is several times more than watching television.

All of these factors indicate the irreplaceable role of this simple and small application in the political space of Iran; something that causes, despite the official presence of authorities and officials of the regime – whether reformists or conservatives in this space – the pressures on the government of Hassan Rouhani to block and control this social network to increase more and more.

Government authorities have repeatedly asked the Rouhani administration to filter Telegram. These pressures have also been confirmed by Mahmoud Vaezi, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. He announced on February 26, 2016, which was the day of the parliamentary elections for the tenth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

With.

Confirmation of these pressures said: “Some institutions have tried to filter social networks and cut off the internet, but we resisted.” (3).

Despite one year passing since the tenth parliamentary elections, these concerns still persist and whispers of filtering Telegram in the upcoming presidential elections can be heard. However, it does not seem that the government of Hassan Rouhani intends to take away this vital messaging app for the next elections. As a result, hardline forces have launched hundreds of Telegram channels and are attempting to use the traditional method of propaganda, which is usually done through radio and television, this time through Telegram.

Resources.

• “Telegram’s 79% share in the election, ISNA News Agency, 18th of Esfand month 1394.”

• “The average usage of Telegram by Iranian users is several times more than watching television”, Sina, January 14, 2016.

• Conversation with Mahmoud Vaezi, Minister of Communications, Khabar Online, 7 Esfand 1394.