TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranians are once again facing a U.S. travel ban that has been imposed by President Donald Trump. This decision has elicited a mix of anger, frustration, and indifference among the Iranian populace, especially given the long-standing tensions that have characterized U.S.-Iran relations over the decades.

Trump had previously enforced a similar ban during his first term before he unilaterally withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal, which allowed Iran to significantly limit its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions. Upon returning to office, Trump sought to engage with Iran for a new deal, leading to a temporary improvement in Iran's economic conditions, with the rial currency gaining value and stock market indices rising. However, an emerging sentiment of negativity has developed as the Iranian government appears poised to reject initial U.S. proposals for a deal, leading to heightened fears among Iranians that Trump sees all 80 million residents of Iran as being part of the problematic Iranian government, despite his earlier attempts to foster cordial dialogue.

One Tehran resident, Asghar Nejati, a 31-year-old pharmacy worker, expressed his frustrations, stating, “Now I understand that Trump is against all Iranians, and his attitude is not limited to the government.” Even in the years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis, many Iranian students managed to travel to the U.S. for their education, with an average of around 10,000 Iranians arriving annually between 2018 and 2024. Current estimates suggest there are approximately 1 million Iranian-origin individuals living in the U.S.

Mehrnoush Alipour, a 37-year-old graphic designer, voiced a belief that if Iran and the U.S. adopted softer rhetoric, their relations could improve. She stated, “This is another foolish decision. Trump cannot reach his goals by imposing pressures on ordinary Iranians. The two nations can have better relations through openings, not restrictions.”

Another Iranian, bank teller Mahdieh Naderi, perceived Trump’s travel ban as an expression of his frustrations over failed diplomatic efforts related to the ongoing conflicts in Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine. Naderi remarked, “Trump just expressed his anger about his failed plans. He is complaining about the Chinese and others who are living in the U.S., too.”

Several individuals noted a declining interest among Iranians in traveling to the U.S. pre-ban. Mohammad Ali Niaraki, a 75-year-old, mentioned that two of his grandchildren chose to continue their education in Canada instead. He commented, “Iranians are not limited in immigration and they are not as interested to go to the U.S. as they were decades ago. Iranians prefer Canada, as well as neighboring countries with flourishing economies like the (United Arab) Emirates.”

Interestingly, some Iranians highlighted the fact that high-ranking government officials often have children residing or working in the U.S., despite the ongoing tensions, leading to calls for a more equitable approach to such travel restrictions.

In a rare show of support for Trump’s decision, Tehran resident Mehri Soltani argued, “Those who have family members in the U.S., it’s their right to go, but a bunch of bad people and terrorists and murderers want to go there as well. So his policy is correct. He’s doing the right thing.”

In conclusion, the reinstated U.S. travel ban under President Trump has amplified existing anxieties among the Iranian population, as many feel the repercussions will unfairly target ordinary citizens rather than only the nation's leadership. The current socio-political climate suggests a complex challenge for U.S.-Iran relations moving forward.