Durov On Telegram Blocking: If Iran Failed, Russia Will Not Succeed Either

• 10.02.2026, 22:21

The messenger's founder made his first statement after it was blocked in Russia.

Telegram will continue to follow the principle of freedom of speech and respect users' privacy, its founder Pavel Durov has said. This is his first comment after Roskomnadzor's decision to restrict the messenger's work in Russia.

"Restricting the freedom of citizens is never the right decision. Telegram defends freedom of speech and the right to privacy - regardless of pressure," Durov wrote in his Telegram channel.

Durov recalled that in 2018, a court in Iran decided to ban Telegram's use in the country. "Eight years ago, Iran tried to apply the same strategy - and failed. <...> Despite the ban, most Iranians still use Telegram, circumventing censorship," he added.