Truce brings relief to some in Iran, but Trump’s threat still echoes

Iranians across Tehran have cautiously welcomed a fragile ceasefire agreement that has halted weeks of Israeli and American bombardment, bringing an uneasy calm to a city that has suffered extensive damage during the conflict. While the truce has provided temporary relief, many residents remain skeptical about its durability and fear renewed hostilities.

The ceasefire, which took effect on Wednesday, came after more than a month of heavy airstrikes that primarily targeted government and security installations but also destroyed numerous residential buildings. The bombardment killed over 1,900 people and injured more than 5,700, according to Iranian authorities, who do not differentiate between military and civilian casualties.

“Everyone I’ve spoken with, it’s given them a new life,” a university student told The Associated Press via WhatsApp, speaking anonymously due to security concerns. “Everyone is really happy,” he said, while acknowledging that “Tehran has seen a lot of damage” and widespread worry that fighting could resume.

The agreement arrived amid escalating tensions that reached a critical point when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened catastrophic consequences for Iran, culminating in a social media post declaring: “A whole civilization will die tonight.” Hours later, Trump reversed course and agreed to the ceasefire, creating a sense of whiplash among many Iranians.

Maryam Saeedpoor, a photographer living in downtown Tehran, described trying to distract herself with painting during the bombardment, “but then I saw my hand was shaking, and I can’t.” She expressed little confidence in the two-week truce, viewing it as merely a “pause” rather than an end to hostilities.

“Tehran is the warmest, the most beautiful city in the world in my opinion, but now its face is full of sadness, pain,” Saeedpoor said. “They say they wanted to take out government leaders, but so many innocent people have been killed.”

Major unresolved issues continue to threaten the fragile peace. Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran-allied Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran’s refusal to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a critical waterway for global energy supplies—remain significant points of contention that could reignite conflict.

In the hours before the ceasefire was announced, many Tehran residents stocked up on water or relocated to safer areas following Trump’s threats. One advertising professional in his late 20s described jolting awake before dawn, noting with relief the absence of air defense sounds, and returning to sleep “with a laugh and a smile” upon realizing the truce had taken effect.

The conflict has highlighted Iran’s complex political landscape. While the country experienced massive protests in January that were forcefully suppressed by authorities, Trump’s threats against Persian civilization united many across political divides. Iranians take immense pride in their cultural heritage, which spans thousands of years and predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tehran’s physical landscape bears witness to this rich history, with 19th-century avenues lined with plane trees and traditional water channels known as jub that continue to function today. Now, these historic streets also bear the scars of recent warfare.

Ali Jafarabadi, who heads Book City, Iran’s largest bookstore chain, reported that many residents turned to reading during the bombardment, with increased sales of historical fiction, self-help books, and adult coloring books. Six of his branches across Tehran were damaged during the conflict.

“It shows people are craving books, people are craving culture, people are craving a safe space where they can come and connect with each other,” Jafarabadi said. “That is the people of Iran.”

One woman who works as a physical trainer described witnessing two contrasting faces of the city during the conflict. In Tehran’s affluent northern districts, life often continued normally with people gathering in elegant cafes, while downtown areas showed more visible signs of damage and disruption. Both wealthy and working-class neighborhoods suffered from airstrikes.

“The streets where a building has been damaged and destroyed, or the houses around it, are different,” she said. “Silence. The smell of death.”

The ceasefire has elicited mixed reactions reflecting Iran’s political divisions. Some government opponents had hoped the conflict would topple the regime, while certain supporters were disappointed by what they perceived as Iran backing down from a conflict it was winning.

“Most people in Iran, unlike what you find on a platform like Twitter, are moderates,” noted the advertising professional. “Everyone is looking for an improved situation, not a radicalized situation at any cost.”

As Tehran attempts to recover from the physical and psychological toll of the bombardment, the future remains uncertain, with residents living day by day under the shadow of potential renewed conflict.