Iranians have reacted with relief, suspicion and uncertainty after US President Donald Trump announced a deal to end the months-long US-Israeli war on Iran .
"Has it really ended? I can’t believe it," Sepideh, a 32-year-old Tehran resident, told Middle East Eye on Monday.
"Thank God. I still can't believe it's over. I just hope everything goes back to normal. We were exhausted. I'm so, so happy."
Sepideh, who sells handmade jewellery online, said the past few months had left her business hanging by a thread.
Like many small business owners in Iran, she watched sales collapse as conflict, uncertainty and internet disruptions reshaped daily life.
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"Most of my sales came through Instagram," she said. "When the internet was cut off, everything was frozen. Besides that, nobody was in the mood to buy things like jewellery."
'I want things to improve in Iran. I want sanctions to be lifted. Most of our problems come from sanctions'
- Darya, 28-year-old Iranian
Now, with Iran and the US reaching a preliminary understanding after weeks of conflict and diplomatic contacts, Sepideh says she is allowing herself to think about the future again.
She hopes the agreement survives and eventually leads to a broader deal that could improve economic conditions and allow her small business to grow.
Across Iran, reactions to the announcement have ranged from excitement and relief to anger, distrust and deep scepticism.
While many people say they are simply happy to see a pause in the cycle of military escalation, others doubt the agreement will last.
Some believe it represents a dangerous concession. Others see it as the only realistic alternative to another war.
Hoping for a return to normal life
For Darya, a 28-year-old from the northern city of Sari, the agreement could affect a life-changing decision.
She has been accepted to a university in France and has spent months waiting to complete her visa process. Now she believes there is finally a chance that things will move forward.
"It feels like a miracle," she told MEE. "I know almost nothing about politics, but for months all I did was follow the news."
The uncertainty took a heavy toll on her.
She said she was particularly alarmed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Sunday, fearing they could derail the diplomatic process.
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"I was sure [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu was trying to sabotage everything," she said.
"When I heard about the new Israeli attacks on Lebanon, I thought it was over. I thought we were back to square one. Iran would respond, then Israel would respond again, and eventually the United States would get involved."
Despite welcoming the agreement, Darya still plans to leave Iran, at least temporarily.
"Yes, I want things to improve in Iran," she said. "I want sanctions to be lifted. Most of our problems come from sanctions. If sanctions are removed, jobs, businesses and the economy will improve too."
She said she still wants the experience of studying abroad and living in Europe. But she hopes that by the time she finishes her studies, Iran will be in a much better position than it is today.
Not everyone shares her optimism.
Mohammad, 43, says the announcement has done little to convince him that a lasting agreement is within reach.
"Just look at how long it took them to reach this small understanding, which is really more of a ceasefire extension than anything else," he said. "During that time, the United States attacked, Israel attacked and Iran attacked.
"All of that makes it difficult for me to be optimistic," he continued. "People want to believe all their problems are over, but I don't think Iran and the United States will be able to reach an agreement on difficult issues like the nuclear programme and sanctions relief."
Opposition supporters feel betrayed
The announcement has also produced frustration among some opponents of the Islamic Republic who had hoped external pressure would eventually lead to political change inside Iran.
Among them is Amir, a 19-year-old from Karaj.
"We were fooled," he told MEE. "We were lied to. Reza Pahlavi said he was on his way to Tehran. Trump said help was coming soon. Netanyahu said he would change the situation in Iran. Was this the help Trump promised? To make a deal with the clerics?"
Amir said the agreement has left him feeling more hopeless than before.
'Look at the timing. Why two months from now? Because Trump wanted peace of mind during the World Cup. After that, he will come back for us'
- Emad, government supporter
"I could not have imagined worse news," he said. "Once the agreement is in place and the Islamic Republic no longer worries about war, it will turn its attention back to the people. More repression will f…
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