3 times every week, Asghar Hashemi undergoes dialysis treatment at a hospital in northern Tehran. He fears that if power stations are knocked out, as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened in escalating rhetoric, his life might be in peril.
Tehran residents rushed Tuesday to refill on bottled water and charge cellphones, flashlights and portable power banks because the hours ticked all the way down to Trump’s latest ultimatum for a deal that features Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on power plants and bridges.
Despite the threats and risks to his health, the 56-year-old worker at Tehran’s subway authority said he’s no worse off than other Iranians who’ve been living under attack for greater than five weeks.
“I’m nervous, but I’m more nervous about my fellow residents,” Hashemi said, lying on his bed at Tajrish Martyrs Hospital for the treatment. “Whatever happens, we are going to stand until the top.”
As Trump stressed that his deadline — 8 p.m. in Washington — was final, some Iranians said they were terrified. Others expressed resignation. And a few, like Hashemi, said they’d be prepared to defend their country.
“I might be ready to choose up a gun and begin a fight against the enemy,” he said.
Pedestrians walk through Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco).
The Associated Press has been granted permission by the Iranian government to send a further team into the country for a temporary reporting trip. AP already operates in Iran. The visiting team should be accompanied by a media assistant from a government-affiliated company. AP retains full editorial control of its content.
Tehran, like other parts of the country, has been shaken by almost day by day airstrikes by the US and Israel since Feb. 28. Iranians’ primary concern quickly became electricity as Trump’s deadline grew closer.
“When there isn’t a electricity, there might be no water, no hygiene, nothing,” said Mahan Qayoumi, 23, who works at an artisan shop, where he said business would stop under an influence outage. He brought emergency lights to his apartment to arrange, noting that “all points of life” can be affected.
A girl carries her pet as she walks along a street market near Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco).
Associated Press
A young designer in central Tehran, speaking on condition of anonymity for her safety, said her parents left initially of the war, but she stayed behind to care for her cat, Maya. Now, due to Trump’s threats, she said she plans to drive north — which has largely been spared heavy strikes — with Maya and join her family.
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“If there isn’t a electricity, there isn’t a water,” she told AP on the messaging app Telegram, noting Tehran’s low water pressure and electric water pumps. “You may’t cook, either.”
The streets of sprawling Tehran, neglected by snow-capped mountains, have seen less traffic over the past several weeks, with many residents leaving to hunt safer areas. Schools and lots of state institutions remain closed.
But whilst some residents frantically prepared, stocking up on water and ready foods, life in considered one of north Tehran’s largest covered markets seemed almost normal Tuesday. People went on with business as usual, fresh bread was made at bakeries, and Iranian sweets resembling gaz and sohan were prepared.
“We reside our normal lives,” said Said Motazavi, 58, who owns a house appliances shop. Motazavi said Iranians have a whole lot of experience preparing for and living with conflict, referring to the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war and the 12-day war with Israel last 12 months.
At Tajrish Martyrs Hospital, the director told AP that a generator can keep much of the medical facility functioning if needed. He said the hospital has enough fuel to power it, in addition to ample medicine and supplies for six months.
“I don’t see any problem,” Dr. Masoud Moslemifard said, adding that the hospital has been prioritizing operations for those wounded within the war and postponing nonurgent surgeries.
Tighter security, lack of web in Iran
Within the streets of Tehran, security was tighter than usual Tuesday, with checkpoints in numerous parts of the capital. At major intersections, jeeps with heavy machine guns mounted on top were deployed.
Iran’s web stays largely shut off, throttling news whilst panic spread over Trump’s warnings.
A 26-year-old Pilates instructor told AP on condition of anonymity for her safety via Telegram that she’s been unable to arrange for possible attacks. She called this week the “worst atmosphere” for the reason that war began.
“Truthfully, we’ve sort of lost it at this point,” she said, describing how she’s not left home for the previous couple of days and he or she and her family refuse to go away Tehran. “Whatever goes to occur, let it occur. We’re dying little by little.”
One resident told AP that if the U.S. follows through on its threat, the people of Iran — not the federal government — might be the victims.
“By attacking infrastructure, the Islamic Republic won’t be destroyed, only we might be destroyed,” the girl, a teacher in her 20s, told AP via a message on Telegram, on condition of anonymity for her safety.
She fears the attacks will spread chaos. “If we don’t have the web, and if we don’t have electricity, water, and gas, we’re really going back to the Stone Age, as Trump said.”