In light of President Donald Trump’s announcement on Monday about an impending agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate an end to the country’s disputed nuclear weapons program, many Iranians who had hoped for a decisive outcome from U.S. pressure are now apprehensive. They fear that the regime might endure while the burden falls on ordinary citizens.
“Within Iran, the initial optimism at the onset of tensions has shifted to a weary resignation,” explained Lisa Daftari, editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, who maintains contact with individuals in Iran. “Yet, there’s still a glimmer of hope that President Trump will capitalize on this strategic opportunity to act decisively. The Iranian populace recognizes the significance of this narrow window,” Daftari told News Agency.
She elaborated, stating, “The regime is financially strained and politically fragile, while the general population remains disenchanted after years of oppression and economic hardship. Many Iranians view this as a unique chance for Washington—and President Trump—to leverage military and economic power towards the potential downfall of an unyielding regime. Should the outcome be a superficial agreement that merely sustains the status quo, this opportunity might vanish for years to come.”
An Iranian flag stands amid debris near a demolished residential building close to Ferdowsi Square in Tehran, pictured on March 3, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)
