The April 2 Lausanne agreement between Iran and six world powers is still the focus of political activists both outside and inside Iran. Amid speculation on how a final nuclear deal will impact life inside Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an April 9 speech, once again expressed his skepticism and distrust of the United States. Yet, he also said, “Of course, this is an experience. If the other side refrains from its bad behavior, then we can continue this experience in other issues as well. However, if they continue to behave as they have in the past, it will only increase our distrust of the United States.” He expressed his support for the negotiating team, but also added that “nothing has happened yet.”

Prior to Khamenei’s speech, other figures had announced their support for the outcome of the framework agreement, like Majles speaker Ali Larijani, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Hassan Firouzabadi and commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari.

Most Iranians, however, are looking at what a deal will mean for them. Ariane Tabatabai, a visiting assistant professor at Georgetown University, told Al-Monitor, "If there is a final agreement and sanctions are lifted, then the economy will improve." She added, "The Lausanne agreement was a good deal for both sides. Iran wants sanctions to be lifted, and this way it will achieve its goal. The international community has also achieved its goal, which is an assurance that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. This deal will pave the road for foreign investors to invest in Iran and as a result, the unemployment rate will drop."

However, other civil activists, such as Nasrin Sotoudeh, are not very optimistic about the impact of the Lausanne agreement on the human rights situation in Iran. This lawyer and former political prisoner told Al-Monitor, “We are always in favor of ending hostile relations in international diplomacy. When a regime can no longer use the excuse of having foreign enemies, it can no longer imprison its own citizens as easily as it can when there is a foreign threat. However, it is wishful thinking to imagine that this nuclear agreement will automatically result in better human rights policies in Iran.”