Lyse Doucet: Under fragile ceasefire, Iranians wonder if US deal can be done
Lyse Doucet: Iranians Reflect on Ceasefire Amid Uncertain U.S. Negotiations
In the heart of Iran’s northwestern plains, where snow-clad mountains frame the landscape, spring has prompted almond trees to burst into blossom. A tenuous ceasefire has allowed more movement along roads, drawing some Iranians back to their country after a period of disruption. At a Turkish border crossing, a gray-haired banker recounted his experience: “I spent a month with my son in Turkey, watching the cold winter snows as we waited for a return to normalcy.” He described the war’s toll in his northern city, where Israeli and American strikes targeted military installations rather than homes or civilian areas. “It’s been five weeks of relentless conflict, but the truce is about to end,” he said, his voice heavy with unease.
A Nation in Peril and Memory
As we entered Iran, an elderly woman in a headscarf shared her fears. “The young suffer most,” she said, her expression lined with sorrow. “Shells fall into crowded neighborhoods, and the Basij forces patrol the streets, spreading fear.” She added, “It’s all in God’s hands,” lifting her gaze skyward. Meanwhile, a young woman in a red puffer jacket and knit cap asserted, “The ceasefire won’t last. Iran will never surrender control of the Strait of Hormuz.” Her words echoed the nation’s determination amid ongoing hostilities.
Traveling to Tehran, the only accessible route due to closed airports, the journey revealed the war’s impact. A major bridge between Tabriz and the capital collapsed under missile fire, forcing cars onto winding rural roads. “Trump threatened to destroy every bridge in Iran,” remarked a driver, “but he doesn’t want to go that far.” The US president’s warning, delivered on Fox Business News, had promised to obliterate Iran’s infrastructure in hours, though his intent remained unclear.
War Crimes or Military Necessity?
The targeting of civilian sites has sparked debate. Legal experts question whether strikes on homes and infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, while the US and Israel insist their actions focus on military targets. In Tabriz, the ruins of an IRGC barracks stood as a stark reminder, its shattered pillars draped with a flag like broken teeth. Factories and police stations in the region also bore the scars of conflict, highlighting the war’s reach beyond military lines.
At a roadside restaurant—a centuries-old caravanserai with arched ceilings and stained-glass windows—thoughts turned to Trump’s apocalyptic claims. “He said a whole civilization would perish tonight,” recalled a passerby. “But what does that mean for us now?” The nation’s present reality is a mix of old traditions and new defiance: some women wear veils, while others walk without head coverings, a legacy of the Woman Life Freedom movement. Yet, for now, their focus remains on survival, as the theocracy grapples with the aftermath of war and the quest for a lasting agreement.
Leadership in the Shadow of Conflict
Along highways, new banners honor the three supreme leaders since the 1979 revolution: Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Khamenei, and his son Mojtaba, who was injured in the first attacks on February 28. Despite the trauma, Mojtaba is said to be shaping a new political and security strategy. The stakes are high, with Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz at the center of negotiations. As the ceasefire wavers, the nation holds its breath, hoping for a resolution that avoids further devastation.
“Trump will never leave Iran alone; he wants to swallow us!”
