Residents of Tehran expressed mixed views Thursday over fresh U.S airstrikes and the prospects of an agreement, with some saying a deal would be preferable to further conflict and others arguing that Iran should not compromise on its nuclear program.
According to Associated Press Huraz Ahmadi, a 19-year-old vendor, said he doubted the two sides would reach an agreement but still hoped they would, arguing that any deal would be better than renewed fighting.
“I don’t think they will reach an agreement, given the way things are going. But I hope they make a deal. An agreement is much better than war,” Ahmadi said. “In wars, innocent and good people die. I personally lost a relative.”
Hamid Reza Bani Ebrahimi, a 47-year-old merchant, said he wanted to avoid another war but opposed any agreement that would limit what he sees as Iran’s nuclear rights.
“May God forbid any war, but an agreement should not be to our disadvantage,” Bani Ebrahimi said.
“They want our nuclear material and they want oversight, but no, that is not what we want. Nuclear technology and uranium are the right of every one of us.”
The U.S and Iran have traded strikes for a second day, pushing the Middle East closer to the resumption of a full-scale war.
The American attack lasted into Thursday morning in Iran.
It appeared more intense and wider than the day before, but Tehran released little information on the extent of the damage.
An Indian official said a U.S. attack on an oil tanker allegedly trying to violate Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports killed three Indian mariners.
It was the third time this week that back-and-forth strikes have rattled the Middle East.