Iranians Express Cautious Hope as Peace Talks Begin, Military Stays on Alert

11/04/2026

Iranians Express Cautious Hope as Peace Talks Begin, Military Stays on Alert

File: Women walk past a mural at a girls school at Enqelab-e-Eslami Revolution Street in downtown Tehran, Iran (AP)

TEHRAN (AP), April 11: Residents in Tehran have voiced cautious optimism as peace talks between Iran and the United States got underway on Saturday, though many remain wary after weeks of conflict.

Speaking to The Associated Press, several citizens said they hope both sides recognize that continued war would bring no benefit, but warned that the damage already inflicted will take years to repair. “We’ve been hit very hard,” said 62-year-old Amir Razzai Far, adding that even a deal would not immediately ease the burden on ordinary people.

Others expressed skepticism about the durability of any agreement. Shahab Banitaba said that even if a deal is reached on paper, there is still a risk it could collapse, reflecting broader concerns about trust between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials stressed that the country’s military remains on high alert despite the diplomatic engagement. Lawmaker Rouhollah Motefakker Azad said Iran does not trust Washington and is prepared to assert its position if necessary, while fellow MP Fadahossein Maleki warned that the armed forces are ready to respond to any “strategic mistake” during negotiations.

Separately, Mehdi Tabatabaei confirmed that Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared as talks proceed.

The mixed sentiment highlights a fragile moment in the conflict, with diplomacy offering a potential path forward even as tensions and distrust remain deeply entrenched.