Lyse Doucet: Under fragile ceasefire, Iranians wonder if US deal can be done

Lyse Doucet: Under Fragile Ceasefire, Iranians Wonder If US Deal Can Be Done

In the northwestern plains of Iran, where snow-draped ridges frame the landscape, spring has sparked a brief floral awakening. Almond trees burst into frothy bloom, and a tenuous ceasefire has eased the flow of traffic along highways, drawing more Iranians back to their homeland. At a Turkish border crossing, a grey-haired banker recounted his time in Turkey: “I spent a month with my son there. In my northern city, Israeli and American strikes mostly targeted military sites, not residential areas or civilian infrastructure.” His summary of five weeks of devastating conflict, interrupted by a two-week truce set to expire soon, captured the anxiety of many.

Further down the road, an elderly woman in a headscarf expressed quiet dread. “I’m a bit scared,” she said, her wrinkled face etched with worry. She lamented the toll on young Iranians, from the shells that struck crowded neighborhoods to the vigilance of Basij paramilitary forces patrolling the streets. “It’s all in God’s hands,” she murmured, glancing upward as if seeking reassurance.

“Of course, the ceasefire won’t last,” asserted a young woman in a red puffer jacket and knitted hat. “Iran will never relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz.” Her words reflected a broader sentiment among those who see the region’s strategic importance as a non-negotiable goal.

As we cleared Turkish customs and entered Iran, the journey to Tehran became a silent commentary on the current calm. The only route to the capital—airports remain closed—involved detours through winding rural roads. The main Tabriz-Tehran bridge, collapsed under missile fire the previous week, now stood as a stark reminder of the war’s reach. Yet, the long drive also carried echoes of Trump’s ominous warnings.

On Wednesday, Trump reiterated his threat to dismantle Iran’s bridges in an hour, alongside power plants, during an interview with Fox Business News. “We could take out every one of their bridges in one hour,” he said, though he added, “we don’t want to do that.” This declaration resonated as we stopped at a roadside restaurant—a centuries-old caravanserai with vaulted stone ceilings and stained-glass windows—symbolizing Iran’s enduring cultural legacy.

Meanwhile, legal scholars have raised concerns over the targeting of civilian infrastructure, accusing the US and Israel of possible war crimes. Despite their insistence on focusing only on military targets, the flattened barracks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tabriz’s outskirts offered undeniable proof. A large flag hung over the ruined pillars, its presence a grim testament to the conflict’s impact. Other facilities, including factories and police stations, had also been hit in this region.

Iran’s theocracy, however, has its eyes fixed on more immediate priorities. Banners now line highways, displaying portraits of the three supreme leaders since the 1979 revolution: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the war’s opening strikes on 28 February, and his son Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly injured in the attack and absent from public view since. Yet, he is believed to be shaping a new political and security framework in the wake of this war and ongoing efforts to mend relations with the US over nuclear agreements and control of the key Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.