U.S.-Iran Deal Sparks Mixed Reactions as Middle Eastern Publics Hope for Peace Yet Remain Skeptical

U.S.-Iran War: Key News

Central News Report

(Central News Agency, Paris, 15th – comprehensive international wire report) The United States and Iran have reached a final peace agreement through secret negotiations, though the details have not yet been disclosed. People across the Middle East express both skepticism and relief over the agreement.

In Lebanon, AFP reporters observed displaced civilians who had fled their homes in the south preparing to return, despite several Israeli ministers stating that Israel is not bound by the agreement and will continue attacking the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Alaa Merahi, driving his wife and children, told AFP: "We are returning to our homes in the south, back to free land."

Tens of thousands of people have repeatedly been forced to flee their homes due to Israeli airstrikes and evacuation orders. Many say they hope this will be their "final return."

Haifa Sherri, from the border-adjacent town of Khirbet Selm, said she would wait until the situation becomes clearer before returning home.

The Lebanese military has urged displaced people to delay returning to villages near the southern border, and several local governments are asking residents to await further instructions.

However, in Sidon, Hanaa Jaffal said she plans to return to Ansar today. Ansar is near Nabatieh and was previously an area of Israeli military advance.

"Even if our house is gone, nothing compares to returning to our own land. We will set up tents and live there," she said.

On the other side of the border in Israel, public reactions are more divided, with many doubting whether peace will truly arrive.

Naomi Haddar, CEO of a nonprofit medical organization, said: "I don't believe this ceasefire will last. I feel they haven't considered Israel's needs."

"We are a free country. We must make our own decisions to protect our citizens."

In the northern town of Metula, café owner Miri Menashe said: "I think Israel should completely stay out of this."

"Israel shouldn't have been involved in the U.S.-Iran agreement in the first place. Lebanon is our issue; Iran is America's issue. Let the U.S. resolve its own problems with Iran and let us live in peace."

Koby Heller, a 40-year-old Jerusalem resident, told AFP: "The general feeling in Israel is… everyone I've spoken to says: we lost."

Heller noted that U.S. President Donald Trump went to war with Iran alongside Israel, aiming to dismantle Iranian missiles and remove uranium stockpiles—neither of which were achieved.

In Iran, most people's optimism focuses on economic rather than political outcomes. One month before the U.S.-Iran war, Tehran authorities brutally suppressed anti-government protests.

Efran, an 18-year-old Tehran salesperson, told AFP he hopes sanctions relief will put Iran's economy back on track.

"Of course," he added, "provided Americans keep their promises and don't renege as they usually do."

Nastaran, a 29-year-old software engineer, said she would be very happy if the war ends and sanctions are lifted.

Others remain more pessimistic. Arya, a 38-year-old English teacher, believes the agreement brings only losses for the Iranian people.

In the Persian Gulf monarchies, people express cautious optimism. Iranian airstrikes and shipping blockades severely damaged these countries' economies.

Hessa Mahmoud, a 40-year-old Bahraini citizen, said: "I'm relieved. No one wants to experience war again."

In Kuwait, Joumma, a 37-year-old Jordanian engineer, echoed a common sentiment.

"Although the agreement might give the region a breather, its success ultimately depends on the parties' ability to address the root causes of tensions," he said. (Translation: Hung Pei-Ying) 1150616

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