‘Everyone is angry for different reasons’: scepticism in Iran as peace deal nears
Everyone is angry for different reasons – As the US and Iran edge closer to finalizing a peace agreement, the country’s citizens are divided in their reactions. While some see the deal as a potential path to stability, others remain wary, citing ongoing hardships and political tensions. The announcement comes amid a backdrop of regional instability, with many Iranians questioning whether the agreement will truly address the issues that have plagued their nation for years.
A Crisis of Survival
In the southern Iranian town of Sirik, the recent heatwave has pushed daily life to the brink. Temperatures soared past 45C (113F) last week, and even after US airstrikes reportedly damaged two water supply systems, citizens continued to line up for limited resources. The situation has left families struggling to meet basic needs, with one mother, Nahid*, describing the toll on her young daughter. “My four-year-old woke up crying from dehydration and pain between her legs caused by chafing and the lack of water for basic hygiene,” she recounted, highlighting the dire consequences of the shortages.
Although the water supply was restored within 12 hours, the amount reaching households remains insufficient. For Nahid, who works as a sewer, the crisis has deepened her fears about the future. “I fear the uncertainty surrounding [the peace deal],” she said, as villagers endured the punishing heat, uncertain whether their hardships would persist. The strike on the water facilities has intensified the perception that the US is targeting Iran’s infrastructure, even as the country seeks to mend relations.
Fractured Perspectives
Amid the growing anxiety about war, voices from across Iran reveal a spectrum of opinions. Alborz, a writer in Tehran, described the situation as a test of patience, with many citizens feeling betrayed by global powers. “The world is being run by all the mad men,” he said, reflecting on how the peace deal appears to offer only modest concessions. Yet, for some, the agreement represents a glimmer of hope. “Yesterday, I woke my wife up to tell her that an agreement had been reached – and with very small amounts of concessions,” he said, noting the relief it brought to his family.
However, not all share Alborz’s optimism. Mina, a screenwriter in Tehran, expressed frustration over the deal’s implications for Iran’s political landscape. “Everyone is angry right now, but we are all angry for different things,” she explained. Hardliners, who have rallied nightly to celebrate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “victory,” see the peace deal as a sign of weakness. “The mullahs have told their followers to chant ‘Death to America’ for decades now, so any deal with the enemy weakens their standing among the followers,” she said.
Mina also criticized the regime for its rigid stance, contrasting it with the former royal family’s legacy. “I hate the regime, and I hate that [Donald] Trump betrayed us,” she added, emphasizing her belief in the return of Reza Pahlavi as a “transitional leader.” She questioned the fairness of international responses to Iranian casualties, pointing to the school strike that killed 120 children as a stark example. “The US hitting the school was horrific and must be condemned, and my heart goes out to the innocent families killed by the strikes,” she said, while accusing the world of ignoring the deaths of children on Iranian streets.
Uncertainty and Doubt
For others, the peace deal’s announcement has not sparked much reaction at all. Shaghayegh, a 24-year-old protester injured during the Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrations in Tehran, expressed a sense of disillusionment. “Everything stopped making sense since 2022,” she said, reflecting on the ongoing conflict and the shifting alliances. “I doubt the war is anywhere close to the end. The only thing that’s changed is we are more aware of who our allies really are,” she noted, suggesting that the deal may not mark a turning point but rather a continuation of the status quo.
Shaghayegh also criticized the international community’s double standard, questioning whether the peace deal will truly prioritize human rights. “Can you all now agree that you will go back to your happy European summers – and we can go back to being killed by the regime?” she asked, echoing the frustration of many who feel their suffering is overshadowed by political agendas. Her words capture the broader sentiment of exhaustion among Iranians who have witnessed years of conflict and economic strain without clear resolution.
Alborz, while acknowledging the deal’s fragility, emphasized the uncertainty it brings. “The agreement remains fragile and uncertain,” he said, as the political climate continues to shift. The divide among Iranians is not merely about their stance on the deal but also about their trust in the leadership and the international actors involved. Some view the US as a necessary partner for peace, while others see it as an adversary exploiting Iran’s vulnerabilities.
As the discussions unfold, the three main factions within Iran emerge: those loyal to the regime, those aligned with the Pahlavi dynasty, and those who reject both. Alborz noted that the third group, which despises the current system, is gaining traction. This growing dissent reflects a broader movement of people who feel their voices are being silenced, even as they navigate the challenges of daily life.
Despite the optimism of some, the reality for many remains grim. The water shortages in Sirik, the lingering threat of conflict, and the political tensions underscore the complexity of the situation. For Nahid, the deal offers no immediate solution, and for Shaghayegh, it represents a temporary reprieve from a deeper crisis. As the US and Iran move toward a formal agreement, the question remains: will it bring peace, or merely prolong the uncertainty that has defined the era?
The voices of ordinary Iranians, like Nahid and Shaghayegh, paint a vivid picture of a nation in turmoil. Their experiences highlight the human cost of political decisions and the emotional weight of a peace deal that may not satisfy all. While the agreement is a step toward resolution, its success will depend on whether it can bridge the gaps in trust and address the systemic issues that have fueled the skepticism from the ground up.
