Iranians are stockpiling food, planning evacuations, and reviving protests as fears mount over potential U.S. airstrikes just ahead of critical nuclear talks in Geneva tomorrow. President Donald Trump, in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, expressed a preference for diplomacy but warned he would never allow Iran -- the "world’s number one sponsor of terror" -- to acquire nuclear weapons. He set a roughly two-week deadline for a deal, threatening "really bad things" otherwise, as the U.S. assembles its largest Middle East military presence in decades.

In Tehran and other cities, anxiety grips residents amid a dire economic crisis exacerbated by sanctions, a plunging rial, and deadly government crackdowns on protests. A Tehran barber described the mood as a "routine of anxiety and worries," while a barista who joined January demonstrations said he keeps canned food and aid supplies at home but believes "the Islamic Republic will not survive this time." Some are relocating families to safer areas, like Caspian Sea villas, and keeping cars fueled for quick escapes, echoing preparations during Israel's 12-day war with Iran last June.

University protests have reignited since the academic term began, with students at institutions like Alzahra and Isfahan chanting "Death to the child-killing regime" and raising pre-1979 flags, signaling hopes among some for regime change triggered by U.S. action. Human Rights Activists in Iran report around 7,000 deaths since the December demonstrations, including over 1,200 in the June conflict. A tailor told the Los Angeles Times, "War will weaken the regime’s security and military forces. There is no other way."

Trump claims the U.S. "wiped out" Iran's nuclear program in June 2025 strikes but accuses Tehran of rebuilding it while developing long-range missiles. Negotiations, which began in April 2025 in Oman and Rome, stalled after Iran's rejection of a U.S. proposal, leading to the IAEA finding noncompliance and UN "snapback" sanctions in September. Tensions spiked with nationwide protests in late 2025, a brutal crackdown, and U.S. military deployments, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group.

Iran has conducted naval drills with Russia and vows retaliation, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating Tehran is "prepared for war" as much as diplomacy. Proxies like Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iraqi militias are repositioning assets. Trump said Iran "wants to make a deal" more than the U.S. but must commit to no nuclear weapons; envoys, including Jared Kushner, will inform strike decisions.

The third round of indirect talks in Geneva on February 26 could address an interim deal, though U.S. demands zero enrichment while Iran insists on its rights. With U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz and evacuations from Beirut, the region braces for either a breakthrough or escalation.