President Donald Trump takes a firm stance on Iran's economic downturn and ongoing nuclear negotiations, emphasizing that U.S. forces are ready if diplomacy fails. John Roberts. Sandra Smith report on the White House cabinet meeting, where Trump discussed Iran's high inflation and lack of sanctions relief. Dr. Mahsa Tehrani questions the trustworthiness of the Islamic Republic.
A fragile ceasefire that many Iranians say does not feel like a ceasefire has given some people inside Iran the courage to speak out. despite what they describe as enormous personal risk.
The accounts come as PresidentDonald Trumpsaid from the Oval Office that the U.S. had reached what he called "a great settlement of the war with Iran," adding that the agreement was still "subject to finalization of documents". could be signed in Europe in the coming days. The announcement followed weeks of military escalation and fragile negotiations, including U.S. strikes after Trump blamed Iran for the downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. earlier warnings that Tehran would be hit "very hard" if it failed to accept a deal.
Inside Iran, three young voices described a country where repression is becoming even more visible, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is expanding its presence on the streets,. ordinary people are struggling to afford basic necessities.
RED CROSS SHARES AUDIO OF IRANIAN CIVILIAN EXPLAINING SITUATION ON THE GROUND IN TEHRAN: 'NO RESPITE'
A fragile ceasefire that many Iranians say does not feel like a ceasefire has given some people inside Iran the courage to speak out. despite what they describe as enormous personal risk.(Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
All three spoke to Fox News Digital through written messages because of security concerns and internet restrictions inside Iran. Their names have been changed to protect their identities.
They described a similar reality: checkpoints across major streets,fear of the Basij, thehardline volunteer militia under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,. the Revolutionary Guards itself, renewed enforcement of hijab rules, mass layoffs, long lines outside bakeries and a growing sense among young Iranians that the future has disappeared.
"The influence of the Revolutionary Guards always has been present, and everything has operated within their ideological framework. Now, their interference is more obvious and easier to see," Hassan said. "Now the curtain has simply been pulled back."
Milad described a city transformed bysecurity forces.
"The atmosphere in cities and government offices has become much more securitized. Security forces are now visible around almost every major square. intersection, and there are numerouscheckpoints throughout the cities," he said. "Individuals affiliated with the security apparatus or the Basij are increasingly being given positions of authority and influence."
At the beginning of the war, Milad said, authorities appeared to ease some social restrictions, including enforcement of hijab rules. But he said that pressure has since returned, adding that the regime is not only targeting opponents,. also silencing supporters who cross political red lines.
IRAN REGIME REPORTEDLY ISSUED NATIONWIDE SHOOT-TO-KILL ORDERS AS PROTEST DEATH TOLL SURGES
A woman walks past a billboard showing a military hand holding the Strait of Hormuz with Farsi text which reads. "In Iran's hands forever," "Trump couldn't do a damn thing," "The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran's forever," in Vanak Square, in northern Tehran, Iran, on April 16, 2026.(Vahid Salemi/AP)
"For example, a group staged a sit-in protest against negotiations with theUnited States," Milad said. "Security forces intervened and told them that they were disrupting public security. They were warned that if they did not leave, they would be arrested."
Ali, a student in Tehran, Iran, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps control feels more open than ever.
"It can be said that if previously 80% of the country was controlled by the Revolutionary Guard. the rest by the government, now 100% of the country is in the hands of the IRGC," Ali told Fox News Digital. "When you drive through the streets. reach checkpoints, you don’t even dare look them in the eye because they can do whatever they want."
"No one dares get into trouble with people who are members of organizations like the Basij, because they can report your name. have you arrested," he added. "They have become more brutal than ever,. people know that if they take to the streets, theRevolutionary Guards can easily killthem and no one can do anything about it."
Ali said Basij members who once hid their affiliation now display it openly.
FORMER IRANIAN PRISONERS REVEAL TORTURE HORRORS AS REGIME KILLS PROTESTERS ON SIGHT DURING CRACKDOWN
Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, Wednesday, in Tehran. The U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire Tuesday. barely an hour before President Donald Trump's deadline to obliterate the rival country was set to expire, with Tehran to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.(AFP via Getty Images)
The accounts come against the backdrop of Iran’s long history of violent crackdowns on dissent.
Iran International reported thatmore than 36,500 people were killedduring the January crackdown, while Amnesty International described January 2026 as the deadliest period of repression by Iranian authorities in decades. said deaths rose into the thousands.
Milad, who said he witnessed the crackdown, described the impact it had on ordinary Iranians.
"Before the war, we couldn’t even breathe. We couldn’t sleep at night," he said. "The conditions were very difficult for most people who had seen that massacre. After the war, we were able to sleep more easily at night, and we felt a bit more at ease. Now, even though the war is still ongoing, we continue to worry about the families of the martyrs. those who are in prison, under torture, and facing the executioner."
The new war and the U.S.-led pressure campaign that began Feb. 28 have raised hopes among some opponents of the regime that the Islamic Republic could be weakened or even collapse. But the Iranians who spoke to Fox News Digital said that. for now, the result on the ground has been a more visible security state.
US ECONOMIC CHOKEHOLD ON IRAN REACHES PEAK LEVERAGE AS COLLAPSE RISKS EMERGE
Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026.(Mahsa/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
The economic pressure also is being felt across daily life.
Iran already was struggling withinflation, currency collapse, corruption and sanctions before the war.
Since then, growing economic strain has been reported, with businesses crushed by high prices, supply-chain disruptions, internet blackouts. rising unemployment. Iran’s official statistics center reported annual inflation of 53.7% in April. with food inflation above 115%, according to the Associated Press.
Ali said, many young Iranians see almost no path forward.
"The economic situation has become so bad that almost all industries are on the verge of collapse. are simply trying to survive," he said. "Many companies have laid off workers, including me. Many of my engineering-student friends have also been laid off. Families can no longer financially support their children."
"I see many more older men. women than before who clearly were not garbage collectors but are now searching through trash," Ali said.
"Almost all of us young people are convinced that we have no future," he added. "At best, if there is anything left from what we earn, we can spend it on going to a café. Buying a phone or clothes has become difficult; buying a car is a dream. Prices have become so high that some days we can barely afford our two main meals and nothing else. Snacks, fruit and similar things are no longer part of life."
Milad described a similar picture, saying layoffs, unpaid salaries and rising utility bills are crushing families.
"The government is trying to collect more money from people through highertaxes. Utility bills for water, electricity and gas have become extremely expensive," he said.
He said bakeries remain crowded not only because of war fears,. because bread has become one of the only affordable foods left.
"Bread has become the main staple on many family tables," Milad said. "Medical costs are extremely high,. many people are afraid to visit a doctor because the costs of medication, tests and treatment are so expensive."
Hassan. however, said the economic pain is bearable only because some Iranians believe it could eventually help bring down the Islamic Republic.
"We believe that with the return of a government that truly represents the people. under the leadership ofCrown Prince Reza Pahlavi, economic conditions will improve in the future," he said.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s late shah, has lived in exile for decades. has increasingly presented himself as a unifying figure for Iranians seeking a post-Islamic Republic future. His supporters inside and outside Iran argue that any transition should lead to a referendum and a democratic system.
EXILED IRANIAN PRINCE SAYS REGIME ‘VERY CLOSE TO COLLAPSING' AMID NATIONWIDE UNREST
Protesters rally in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2026, supporting regime change in Iran following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.(Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
The Iranians who spoke to Fox News Digital warned the Trump administration againstnegotiating with the regimeor easing pressure too soon.
"I would like to tell theWestern world that appeasementof the Islamic Republic is futile," Hassan said. "These are dishonest. deceptive people who, according to their religious beliefs, practice taqiyya in order to deceive others and maneuver their way through difficult situations."
"These are not people who can be reformed," he added. "Appeasement of them is harmful to the entire world. It is extremely naive to believe that meaningful negotiations can be conducted with such individuals."
Ali said he believes the clerical regime would give up uranium if it allowed its leaders to stay in power.
"We only hope that the Islamic Republic falls, whether through war or through an agreement," Ali said. "The clerics are far too shameless to fight to the death over uranium. They would be willing to hand over the uranium to the United States if it meant staying in power. continuing to plunder Iran. But they are certainly careful to avoid suffering the same fate as Gaddafi."
His message to Washington was direct.
"The only message I have for the U.S. government is: save the people of Iran from the clerics and free Iran from the Islamic Republic," Ali said.
Iranian American community members Sadaf Ebrahimi, Shirin Nariman,. Mehran Ebrahimi watch a TV screen at Nariman's home in Vienna, Virginia, reacting to news of U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, 2026.(Nathan Howard/Reuters)
Milad said many Iranians are watching Trump closely. fear another moment when the West chooses negotiation over the people in the streets.
"Iranian people havehope that the American administrationwill be strong and stand on their side," he said. "We don’t want another Obama situation. Iranian people and their blood are not oil prices."
"We have one message to the president, and that is to continue," Milad said. "Here in Iran. we no longer say, ‘Obama, Obama, either with us or with them.’ Now we’re saying: ‘Trump, don’t be Obama. You are with us, not with them. President Trump, stay the course.’"
Fox News Digital reached out to Iran’s mission to the United Nations for comment.
Efrat Lachter is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent toefrat.lachter@fox.com.
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