Iranians are experiencing heightened uncertainty and anxiety amid fluctuating reports of military escalation and diplomatic negotiations between Tehran and Washington. The ongoing standoff, marked by intermittent threats, attacks, and announcements of potential peace deals, has deepened concerns over the country’s deteriorating economic conditions and daily hardships.

Over the past week, Tehran residents have been caught in a cycle of fear and relief as news alternated between reported strikes and sudden calls to halt military action. On Thursday, President Donald Trump initially threatened to launch severe attacks against Iran, including a potential takeover of Kharg Island, a key oil export facility. He later reversed course, canceling planned strikes in light of progress toward a diplomatic agreement, though Iran’s foreign ministry maintained that no final deal had been reached.

Trump’s assertion that a deal could materialize “maybe over the weekend, in Europe” contrasted with Tehran’s cautious stance, adding to the public’s confusion. Meanwhile, Iranian armed forces warned they would retaliate against any attacks targeting energy infrastructure, heightening tensions. Despite the absence of outright war, the United States continues to enforce a naval blockade against Iran’s ports, significantly curtailing its oil exports and exacerbating economic difficulties for ordinary citizens.

Many Iranians describe the impact of economic sanctions and the blockade as being as disruptive as direct military strikes. Mahasti, a 65-year-old healthcare worker in Tehran, said the restrictions have progressively undermined living standards. “Our lives are just getting more and more difficult by the day,” she said. “If it’s not war, it’s sanctions or blockade, always something.”

Public frustration is palpable, with some expressing fatigue over the unpredictable nature of the conflict. Vahid, a 37-year-old Tehran resident, voiced exasperation with the day-to-day swings between aggression and diplomacy. “They go to war at night, they stop the war by morning, it’s all ridiculous,” he said. “Either fight or don’t fight. We are fed up.”

The volatile atmosphere has also prompted residents to take precautions. Traffic jams were reported on major highways leading north out of Tehran on Thursday, as many sought to temporarily leave the capital amid fears of further escalation. Reza, a 48-year-old company manager, and his wife chose to spend the weekend away from the city, citing worries over potential strikes on civilian infrastructure. He described the economic situation as stagnant, with businesses largely paralyzed by uncertain conditions and fluctuating prices.

At a ceremony commemorating former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the unsustainable nature of the current “no war, no peace” scenario. While condemning military confrontation as detrimental to the country, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran would not capitulate to aggression.

For many Iranians, the persistent ambiguity surrounding the conflict’s trajectory is taking an emotional and economic toll, with daily life overshadowed by the prospect of either escalation or prolonged stalemate.