MNA � Iran�s President Hassan Rouhani said Tue. that developing domestic messaging apps should aim at breaking foreign monopoly on cyberspace not at restricting public's access.

President Rouhani made the remarks in a meeting with ministers and executive officials on Tuesday.

He stressed the need for further development of people�s access to cyberspace and increasing their power of choice, adding �developing powerful, secure and cheap Iranian messaging apps, which can meet people�s needs, will be no doubt a source of pride for everyone.�

He went on to add, however, that �the aim of developing domestic apps and messaging platforms should not be to block or restrict public�s access, but rather to break the monopoly on them.�

�A good cyberspace depends on producing good, interesting and useful content not by merely monopolizing or restricting it,� he said.

President Rouhani�s remarks came as Chairman of Iran's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi created a stir on March 31 by announcing that the popular messaging service Telegram will be blocked and replaced by a domestic one called �Soroush�. He later maintained that Telegram poses security threats against Iran.