June 14, 2026
Spontaneous protests erupted in Tehran and several other major Iranian cities following leaks about the possible signing of a peace memorandum with the United States. Iranian society reacted extremely sensitively to rumors of diplomatic concessions to Washington in the wake of recent US military strikes on Iranian territory.
Protesters express categorical disagreement with the policies of the country’s current leadership. They are convinced that the authorities and diplomatic negotiators are playing a double game, making crucial decisions behind closed doors.
The protesters’ main message is that “the authorities and negotiators are selling out the country’s sovereignty behind the people’s backs.” Iranians believe that any agreement with the US, especially in the context of the recent bombings and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is not peace, but capitulation.
Targets of popular anger: Araghchi and Ghalibaf
The protesters’ primary aggression is directed against key figures involved in the diplomatic process. Portraits and banners directed against Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were brought out onto the streets.
Araghchi, as the country’s top diplomat, is perceived by the radical elements of society as a sellout of national interests. Ghalibaf, as the speaker of parliament and a former IRGC commander, should, according to protesters, be advocating a hard line, but instead, they say, he’s covering up concessions.
Among the main slogans chanted by crowds on the streets of Iranian cities:
“Death to Araghchi, the dishonest compromiser!”
“Araghchi, have shame; stop giving in to America!”
“Ghalibaf, Araghchi, resign, resign!”
The outbreak of popular anger has serious emotional and political underpinnings. Just a few days ago, US forces launched missile strikes against Iranian targets (including ports and air defense systems), and Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz and attacking US bases in the region.
Against this backdrop, US President Donald Trump’s statements that “the war is over” and that Vice President J.D. Vance is supposedly traveling to Europe to sign a memorandum have provoked cognitive dissonance and anger in Iranian society. For ordinary people in Tehran or Isfahan, concessions (especially on the nuclear program or the Hormuz issue) after the recent bombings appear to be a betrayal of the memory of the dead and of national interests.
ENGLISH: “Protests are taking place in Tehran and other Iranian cities over the possible signing of a peace memorandum with the United States. Participants claim that “the authorities and negotiators are selling the country’s sovereignty behind the people’s backs.” Slogans against Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf are also being chanted: “Death to Araghchi, a dishonest compromiser”; “Araghchi, have shame; stop giving in to America”; “Ghalibaf, Araghchi, resign, resign”
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