Iranians are expressing their frustration following former President Donald Trump’s suggestion of a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran—an outcome many civilians on the ground consider potentially disastrous.

Trump announced today that the United States is ceasing its aggressive actions against Iran’s energy infrastructure after what he described as ‘very good’ discussions with Tehran.

However, Iranian officials swiftly countered these claims, denying any such negotiations have taken place. They responded defiantly to Trump, pledging to continue their attacks on American military bases and allies.

This clash of narratives has incited fear and anger among Iranians both within the country and abroad, concerned that Trump’s unexpected turn towards diplomacy might undo the strides made against Iran’s already vulnerable leadership.

On Monday, Trump made several statements indicating a shift towards de-escalation, hinting at a shared governance arrangement over the strategic Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s leadership.

A Living Nightmare 

He remarked that this crucial waterway, through which 20 percent of the world’s energy resources are transported, would be ‘jointly controlled’ by himself and ‘the Ayatollah, whoever the Ayatollah is.’

For everyday Iranians, the prospect of the regime surviving the conflict is a nightmare. 

‘The war is less scary than the possibility of negotiations,’ one young Iranian told the Daily Mail. 

The student says that news of negotiations with the regime was worse than ‘power outages and starvation, and even being stuck under the rubble of your house.’

‘People don’t like this at all, but I don’t think we should really care about what [Trump] says on the news,’ another local explained. 

Even though the regime is ‘falling apart,’ the US has ‘not achieved its goal’ and ‘lots of money has been spent on this war.’

Trump Being Trump 

Another Tehran resident explained that after 47 years of failed civil disobedience, citizens see armed conflict as the only way out. 

‘They are pro-war because they know there is no other option. There can be no revolution without weapons,’ they said, adding that the Iranian army is ‘corrupted to its core.’

Many locals view Trump’s comments as classic political theater, aimed at global markets rather than actual diplomacy.

‘Trump being Trump. That is it. They know IRGC must be gone,’ one resident said in response to the President’s efforts to restart talks. 

‘IRGC also knows they have no future after what they did to the Arab countries.’

Another Iranian local agreed: ‘I believe Trump is being strategic with his words to manage the oil prices. He knows until these guys are in charge, there will always be the threat of a nuclear bomb. I know that the thought of the war ending with the Islamic regime remaining in power is the worst thing that can happen to us.’

The fear of infrastructure strikes exacerbating already dire living conditions is palpable.

One resident recalled the panic that set in over the weekend regarding potential large-scale attacks that could make life for millions even more difficult, pointing to the country’s frequent summer water and electricity outages.

But they ultimately dismissed Trump’s rhetoric as a geopolitical maneuver.

‘I think it’s more of a threat aimed at Europe, to push for greater cooperation with Trump regarding the issue of the Kharg Strait,’ the resident said.

The 90 Percent Target 

The US struck military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island amid tensions on March 13 and is now reportedly considering invading the fuel depot – which processes around 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports. 

‘Well, we don’t want him to target the infrastructure either,’ another Iranian told the Daily Mail via message.

Iranians are learning that Trump’s mercurial nature makes it difficult to understand some of his strategy.

‘Trump is still an unpredictable character to me,’ a young woman in Tehran told the Daily Mail. ‘I think we, as a nation, aren’t the intended audience for everything Trump says, and that makes it extremely difficult to analyze. That’s why I prefer not to get emotional about it.’ 

Others are desperately checking in on family. One Iranian in the Washington DC area managed a brief, two-minute international phone call with his widowed mother, who admitted she was ‘worried about the war in Iran.’

When he urged her to leave her home and stay with her children, she simply replied: ‘Trump said we shouldn’t move from our homes.’

A Leader in the Shadows 

Meanwhile, the Iranian leadership remains completely shrouded in mystery. Several Iranians told the Daily Mail they haven’t seen the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in person since he was chosen to replace his father.

‘No footage, not his voice, nothing,’ one Iranian revealed.

The overarching sentiment among the diaspora and those trapped inside the country is clear: the regime must be completely wiped out.

One Iranian with family in the country expressed deep frustration with European nations for failing to cooperate with the US.

‘The regime is a global threat … How is there not a global coalition against them, I don’t get it,’ she said, claiming that hatred for Trump abroad is blinding leaders to the reality on the ground. ‘Annihilation of the regime is critical.’

Another Iranian with family in Isfahan echoed the desperate plea: ‘I hope that they don’t end the war without regime change. The whole point of the war for Iranians was regime change.’

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