Mass protests erupted in Tehran and Mashhad on Sunday, casting a shadow over ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a rapid peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
While US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have signaled optimism for a swift resolution, Iranian officials and public sentiment on the ground are pushing back, complicating the path to a deal.
The contrasting signals underscore the fragility of the ceasefire framework.
Tehran’s domestic pressures and diplomatic caution suggest that any agreement will require more time and concessions than initially projected by Washington and Islamabad.
For markets, the delay increases the risk of prolonged regional instability, which could keep a risk premium embedded in energy prices and freight rates.
Investors will be watching for further diplomatic statements and any escalation in protest activity that could derail negotiations.