Tehran residents dismiss prospects of genuine US-Iran diplomacy

2026-03-23 - 17:15

Following US President Donald Trump's announcement Monday of "constructive" conversations between the US and Iran that could lead to a deal ending the conflict, and a five-day halt of American strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, residents of Tehran expressed skepticism about whether any negotiations would genuinely benefit the Iranian people – particularly against the backdrop of Iran's denial that such talks have taken place at all. Tehran resident Mahshid Moradi told Reuters she had no expectation that genuine negotiations would emerge from the current round of contacts. "We can never really judge or understand what goes on behind the scenes of politicians. But whether they want to negotiate or not is something we have been dealing with for years. Today there are talks, tomorrow there are talks, and the day after, something else happens. I doubt there will be any real negotiations between these governments. As for what comes next, I do not know, but I find it unlikely," she said. Moradi added that while she opposes war, she does not regard peace as acceptable on any terms. "I support the idea that people should be able to live properly. As for peace or war, war is not a good thing, but peace should not come at any cost either. I do not accept war, and I do not want to see war anywhere in the world. Overall, I hope peace returns to the lives of the people of Iran, in whatever way possible, but in a way that benefits the Iranian people," she said. An unnamed Tehran man offered a sharper verdict. "This is a game he is playing," the man told Reuters. They call him a gambler, meaning he is trying to manipulate public opinion and deceive people. He does not realise that the people of Iran will not be misled by these statements," he said. "Defeat for the Satan" The launch of the Israeli-American operation in Iran follows months of volatile protests against the regime, for which the president promised, "help is on the way." Against the backdrop of the elimination of senior Iranian officials – among them former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, the Basij commander, and others responsible for suppressing the protests – reports of executions of regime opponents continue, with fears that more are to come. The president's dramatic announcement prompted a response from Iranian officials. Spokesperson of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, Ibrahim Rezaei, said, "Trump and the US have backed down again. The campaign continues to gallop," adding this decision marks "Another defeat for the Satan" – referring to the US. According to Fars News Agency (Iran's state-run news agency), an Iranian source claimed that "There was no direct or indirect communication with Trump – he backed down after hearing that our targets would be every power station in the Middle East."