Khaberni - Iranians are looking forward to an economic breakthrough in their country amid ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington, which could pave the way for lifting the decades-old stifling sanctions imposed on their country.
These expectations come amidst a long struggle with Western restrictions targeting the nuclear program, despite Tehran's continuous insistence on its peaceful nature and its outright rejection of developing nuclear weapons.
In this regard, the Iranian youth, who have borne the brunt of the escalation with Washington and the repercussions of the economic blockade, see the negotiations as a lifeline, according to statements to the "Novosti" agency.
Mohammad Bijan, a university student, says, "His generation aspires to the return of foreign investments and companies and the revitalization of the job market, ensuring him and his peers find decent job opportunities after graduation."
For her part. Zahra Kazemi, an employee in the private sector, expects these negotiations to lead to price stabilization and a boost in the value of the Iranian rial, which has recently begun to recover following the signing of a bilateral memorandum of understanding. She confirms that the continued rise of the rial and the decrease in import costs will positively reflect in reduced prices, noting that achieving these improvements won't happen overnight though. She added that the local business sector has suffered severe losses due to sanctions and increased shipping costs, isolating Iranian traders from broad global markets.
In turn, Mehdi Jahani, a shop owner in Tehran, focuses on the living aspect, emphasizing that the real measure of any agreement's success is improving the living standards of citizens and enhancing their purchasing power. He points out that the Iranian street awaits tangible results that will directly reflect on the details of their daily lives.
On the technical side, economic expert Barzin Jafartash believes that the sustainability of economic recovery depends on the seriousness and commitment of Washington in implementing the terms of the agreements. He explained that the ordinary citizen would not feel the impact of these negotiations until it directly reflects on the prices of food, housing, and wage levels, a process that requires several months at the very least.
It is noted that Tehran and Washington signed, on June 18, a remote memorandum of understanding, which stipulates turning the page on the military conflict that erupted on February 28.
The memorandum sets timelines for lifting the US naval blockade and resuming Iran's navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. It also includes an Iranian commitment not to seek nuclear weapons, with the nuclear program file left for settlement through a separate agreement to be negotiated within 60 days.
