TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Following the unsuccessful peace talks with the United States, Iranians expressed a mix of disappointment and defiance on Sunday. The negotiations, which lasted for 21 hours, ultimately fell apart due to what U.S. officials described as Iran’s unwillingness to commit to abandoning its nuclear program. On the other hand, Iranian officials shifted the blame onto the U.S., stating that it had failed to reach a suitable agreement without elaborating on the specific sticking points.
The collapse of these high-stakes discussions comes just before the expiration of a fragile ceasefire on April 22, raising concerns about the future of peace in the region. While the ceasefire appears to hold momentarily, the war's ramifications linger heavily over the streets of Tehran, where many residents showed reluctance to engage with the media.
For over a month, Iranians have endured a digital blackout, with internet access restricted shortly after the war erupted on February 28. Consequently, the populace has been relying on state-controlled media for information, with only a limited number of individuals accessing overseas satellite TV channels.
At a newsstand in Tehran, Farhad Simia, aged 43, expressed his hope for successful negotiations that could lead to an end to hostilities. However, despite the setback, he reiterated his support for Iran. “I’m against war. I think negotiation is the better path,” Simia stated, attributing the talks' failure to “inappropriate demands” made by the U.S.
Another resident, Mehdi Hosseini, who is also 43, echoed these sentiments, indicating concerns regarding the possibility of losing hard-won gains on the battlefield during negotiations. “The fact that the Iranian negotiating team managed to preserve what it achieved in the war gives reason for hope,” he added. His views were supported by the prevailing atmosphere in Tehran, where streets were adorned with large Iranian flags and billboards depicting military accomplishments. One notable advertisement illustrated Iranian military personnel lifting a fishing net from the sea, filled with miniature U.S. military aircraft and vessels, alongside the slogan, “The Strait Remains Closed.”
Hamid Haghi, aged 55, attributed the failure of the talks to “America’s overreach,” emphasizing that the U.S. seeks control over the Strait of Hormuz, a significant international passage. “We can oversee it ourselves,” he asserted, reflecting a common sentiment among many locals.
Mohammad Bagher, aged 60, expressed his belief in Iran continuing to resist U.S. influence, viewing the ongoing conflict as a war created by external forces. “We are a nation of dialogue and negotiation as long as our interests are respected,” he proclaimed. Bagher stressed that Iranians are prepared to defend their territory and stand firm, stating, “We will stand firm to the end, we are ready to sacrifice our lives, and will not give them one inch of our land.”
The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28, has claimed at least 3,000 lives in Iran, alongside 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. The war has inflicted severe damage on infrastructure across several Middle Eastern countries.
Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz has significantly hampered Persian Gulf oil and gas exports, impacting the global economy and resulting in soaring energy prices. The future remains uncertain, as both the aftermath of the talks and the potential for renewed conflict loom large over the region.
