While discussions are anticipated about extending a truce and concluding the conflict, shops, restaurants, and government offices remain operational. On sunny spring mornings, city parks are bustling with families enjoying picnics and young people engaging in sports, while others congregate at street-side cafes.
Yet, beneath these serene scenes, Iran’s economy is in ruins, and citizens harbor fears of renewed government repression, coupled with anger over the destructive airstrikes.
The challenges that ignited widespread protests in January are likely to escalate.
On Friday, Iran’s foreign minister stated that the Strait of Hormuz is open following a ceasefire agreement for Lebanon, while US President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a solution to end the Iran conflict would emerge soon.
Apprehension About Increased Pressure Amidst Theocracy
“The war may conclude, but that’s when our real issues with the system will begin. I fear that if the regime reaches an accord with the United States, it will intensify pressure on everyday citizens,” said Fariba, a 37-year-old participant in the January protests, speaking to Reuters from Iran.
“People haven’t forgotten the regime’s transgressions in January, and the system is aware of the public’s discontent. They are currently holding back because they don’t want to engage on another domestic front,” she elaborated.
The bombings have claimed thousands of lives, according to official records, with many casualties occurring at a school on the conflict’s first day.
They have also wreaked havoc on national infrastructure, raising the likelihood of mass layoffs.
Iran’s revolutionary theocracy seems more entrenched than ever, having withstood weeks of intense bombings and asserting dominance over global oil resources.
“Iranians recognize that this war will not overthrow the regime, but it will undoubtedly exacerbate their economic struggles,” commented Omid Memarian, an analyst at the independent US-based think tank Dawn.
“The military will not lay down their arms. They will remain, leading to bloody and costly outcomes with no bright future in sight,” he added.
In affluent north Tehran this week, Reuters spoke with young Iranians on camera regarding the war and their concerns. Foreign media in Iran operate under guidelines established by the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry, which oversees press activities and permissions.
Mehtab, who works for a private company and requested anonymity, remarked that conditions for Iranians could be worse given the war’s impacts and years of sanctions and isolation.
“I wouldn’t say it’s normal, but as an Iranian with such a background, it’s not overly bad. We can cope with it,” she stated.
However, that sentiment was not shared by other Iranians contacted by Reuters, who expressed deeper anxieties while speaking anonymously for fear of repercussions.
“Yes, people are enjoying the ceasefire for the moment — but what lies ahead? How do we handle a regime that has grown even stronger?” questioned Sara, 27, a private tutor, who chose not to disclose her name or location.
Limited Options for Iranians
Thousands lost their lives when authorities suppressed weeks of protests in January, prompting US President Donald Trump to promise assistance to the Iranian populace.
Although Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially expressed hope that the war would topple the ruling clerics, that aspiration diminished as the bombings continued.
While many Iranians expressed a desire for new leadership following the crackdown, their enthusiasm for the war quickly faded, Memarian noted.
“It became clearer to many Iranians that this conflict is not intended to benefit them,” he remarked.
Neither Mehtab nor other women at a cafe in north Tehran wore the hijab, a head covering that had been mandatory for decades in Iran. Looser public dress codes reflect the mass protests of 2022, including demands for women’s rights, which authorities violently repressed while subtly stepping back from enforcing some dress codes.
Independent UK-based Iranian political analyst Hossein Rassam observed that it became evident in January that the authorities would not easily yield this time, and later they would remain resilient against military attacks.
The war has further polarized Iranians, leaving them with limited options. “This is a critical moment for Iranians because ultimately, especially those within the country, understand they must coexist. There is nowhere else to turn,” he stated.
‘Hidden Tensions’
Many fear that repression may now intensify. “On the streets, women are walking freely without the hijab, but it’s uncertain whether these freedoms will persist after a deal with the United States. Pressure will undoubtedly increase, as once peace is established with Washington, the regime will no longer face the same external scrutiny,” voiced Arjang, a 43-year-old father of two, during a phone conversation with Reuters from north Tehran.
The January protests led to no significant changes in people’s lives while causing authorities to severely limit internet access — a setback for both businesses and ordinary citizens yearning for information during wartime.
“Even the simplest tasks, like connecting with our family members abroad, have become impossible,” lamented Faezeh, 47, as she played volleyball with friends in a park in north Tehran.
Public frustration might begin to surface after the conflict concludes, as people may feel less apprehensive about being labeled traitors, suggested Memarian. “There’s a lot of hidden tensions ready to ignite,” he affirmed.
