Many Iranians celebrated publicly and privately the announcement of a preliminary agreement in Lausanne that could lead to a permanent nuclear deal that would curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Sanctions imposed on Iran have made life more difficult for ordinary Iranians who are hoping that a permanent nuclear deal will lead to a better economy, more work opportunities, and better ties with the world.
Amateur videos posted online and images by citizens and news agencies showed people honking and celebrating late into the night in Tehran.
Iranians celebrate framework nuclear deal #IranDeal #IranTalks pic.twitter.com/EcA4mHgMyY
— Mahdi Fattahi (@mFat) April 2, 2015
Northern Tehran after #IranTalks, tonight https://t.co/sgERWp6xyp
— Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) April 2, 2015
Jubilation in Some parts of Tehran.. People wave one-dollar notes from car windows!
— Najmeh Bozorgmehr (@Najmeh_Tehran) April 2, 2015
some #Iranian gathered in Tehran, at Foreign Ministry @IranMFA to celebrate the diplomatic resolution . #IranTalks pic.twitter.com/kASzQNZ1go
— H.Soleimani (@MashreghNews_ir) April 2, 2015
#IranNuclearTalks celebrating pic.twitter.com/260UHsQrwS
— Mohsen Zabeti (@mohsenzabeti) April 2, 2015
Iranians celebrate #IranDeal in Kermanshah http://t.co/cTg4tEmwD0
— Susan Modaress (@susanmodaress) April 3, 2015
Some celebrated at home.
In a party. Most people have a glass in one hand and a mobile with an anti filter and Twitter on the other one. #IranTalks
— jadi (@jadi) April 2, 2015
Still in the party. People are drinking to (in the honor of) all the turned off Centrifuges :)) به سلامتی سانتریفیوژهای خاموش #IranTalks
— jadi (@jadi) April 2, 2015
Iranian journalists wrote on Twitter that in an unprecedented move, the state-controlled television had aired a live address by U.S. President Barack Obama on the announcement in Lausanne.
Broadcasting
#Obama speech on Iran State TV live is unprecedented. #IranTalks
— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) April 2, 2015
Several internet savvy Iranians decided to mark the occasion with selfies with Obama.
#سلفی با #اوباما pic.twitter.com/Bgftnt2KYE
— Pedraam (@pedi) April 2, 2015
Amid the celebrations a young man in Tehran sounded cautious.
"I will be happy when there will be a deal. Nothing is certain at this point. I'm a bit concerned [Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei and his [hard-line] could somehow spoil this."
A mother of two, also in in the Iranian capital, told RFE/RL that a potential agreement between Iran and major world powers will not solve all of the country’s problems.
But she said it would lead to a better economic situation for many of those who are struggling to make ends meet.
“I have a good feeling about this. It gives me hope in the future," she said.
-- Golnaz Esfandiari