Authorities in Iran have blocked many of the country’s citizens from accessing the Telegram messaging application after the company refused to close down several channels, according to the firm’s founder and CEO.

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“Iranian authorities are blocking access to Telegram for the majority of Iranians after our public refusal to shut down https://t.co/9E4kXZYcP9 and other peacefully protesting channels,” Pavel Durov wrote on Twitter Sunday.

Iranian authorities are blocking access to Telegram for the majority of Iranians after our public refusal to shut down https://t.co/9E4kXZYcP9 and other peacefully protesting channels. — Pavel Durov (@durov) December 31, 2017

Durov’s tweet comes after the protests reportedly entered their third night on Saturday evening, as Iranians demonstrate against the theocratic government in Tehran.

AFP reported Saturday that multiple news agencies in Iran cautioned Telegram could be blocked after Iran's communications minister said a channel pushed for an "armed uprising."

The first deaths during the protests were reported Saturday in western Iran, with two individuals killed in Dorud.