Protests have broken out in Iran after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly signalled that a peace agreement with the United States was closer than ever, sparking a backlash from hardline factions who accuse him of betraying national interests. In videos circulated by the Fars news agency, which is controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, dozens of demonstrators are seen gathered outside a foreign ministry building in the northeastern city of Mashhad. Women in black chadors chant “death to dishonourable Araghchi, the infiltrator” while waving red and black flags, symbols of mourning and defiance. Similar protests were reported in Tehran, reflecting a coordinated response from conservative elements opposed to any rapprochement with Washington.

From Washington, President Donald Trump has claimed that the deal could be signed as early as Sunday, with Pakistan acting as a mediator. However, viewed from Tehran, the situation is more fraught. Araghchi, in a televised interview, acknowledged that no agreement had been finalised but insisted that a settlement had “never been closer than now”. This cautious optimism has been met with fury from hardliners, who argue that the proposed terms do not adequately safeguard Iran's sovereignty and amount to excessive concessions. The protesters have branded Araghchi a “dishonourable compromiser” and an “infiltrator”, language that echoes the rhetoric of the Revolutionary Guard's political wing.

Analysts in London note that the protests underscore the deep divisions within Iran's political establishment as it navigates the most serious diplomatic engagement with the US in years. The hardline opposition is not merely rhetorical; it reflects a strategic calculation that any deal legitimising the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme or easing sanctions could undermine the Revolutionary Guard's domestic influence and economic interests. The timing is particularly sensitive, coming as Iran faces mounting economic pressure and public discontent over inflation and unemployment. The demonstrations, while limited in size, signal that the path to a final agreement will be fraught with internal resistance.

Looking ahead, the fate of the peace deal hinges on whether the Iranian government can manage this domestic backlash while maintaining negotiating momentum. From the perspective of regional observers in the Gulf, the protests may embolden hardliners in Tehran to demand tougher terms or even scuttle the agreement altogether. For Washington, the unrest provides a reminder that any accord must be resilient enough to withstand political turbulence in Iran. As the Sunday deadline approaches, the world watches to see whether Araghchi's diplomatic gamble will pay off or whether the protests will mark the beginning of a deeper crisis within the Iranian regime.