In the bustling city of Tehran, Asghar Hashemi finds himself tethered to a dialysis machine three times a week, a lifeline he fears could be severed if escalating tensions with the United States lead to disruptions in Iran’s power supply. Amidst threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has suggested targeting Iran’s infrastructure, the 56-year-old subway authority employee expresses grave concern for his own health and the well-being of his fellow citizens.

As the hours dwindled before Trump’s latest ultimatum, Tehran residents hurried to secure essentials. The looming deadline, which demands Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face potential attacks on its power plants and bridges, has sent locals scrambling for bottled water and charging their devices in preparation for the worst. Despite the dire situation, Hashemi maintains a stoic resolve, echoing the sentiment of many Iranians who have endured weeks of tension under the threat of conflict.

“I am worried, but I am more worried about my fellow citizens,” Hashemi shared from his hospital bed at Tajrish Martyrs Hospital. “Whatever happens, we will stand until the end.”

With President Trump setting a firm deadline of 8 p.m. Washington time, the atmosphere in Iran is a mix of fear, resignation, and defiance. While some brace themselves for the possibility of conflict, others, like Hashemi, declare their readiness to defend their homeland if necessary.

“I will be ready to pick up a gun and start a fight against the enemy,” Hashemi said, embodying a spirit of resilience shared by many.

In light of these developments, the Associated Press has received permission from the Iranian government to conduct a short-term reporting mission in the country. Although this team will be accompanied by a media assistant from a government-affiliated firm, the AP maintains complete editorial independence over its reporting.

For many Iranians, power is now the No. 1 concern

Tehran, like other parts of the country, has been shaken by almost daily airstrikes by the United States and Israel since Feb. 28. Iranians’ main concern quickly became electricity as Trump’s deadline grew closer.

“When there is no electricity, there will be no water, no hygiene, nothing,” said Mahan Qayoumi, 23, who works at an artisan shop, where he said business would stop under a power outage. He brought emergency lights to his apartment to prepare, noting that “all aspects of life” would be affected.

A young designer in central Tehran, speaking on condition of anonymity for her safety, said her parents left at the beginning of the war, but she stayed behind to take care of her cat, Maya. Now, because of Trump’s threats, she said she plans to drive north — which has largely been spared heavy strikes — with Maya and join her family.

“If there is no electricity, there is no water,” she told AP on the messaging app Telegram, noting Tehran’s low water pressure and electric water pumps. “You can’t cook, either.”

The streets of sprawling Tehran, overlooked by snow-capped mountains, have seen less traffic over the past several weeks, with many residents leaving to seek safer areas. Schools and many state institutions remain closed.

But even as some residents frantically prepared, stocking up on water and prepared foods, life in 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 such as gaz and sohan were prepared.

“We are living our normal lives,” said Said Motazavi, 58, who owns a home appliances shop. Motazavi said Iranians have a 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 year.

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, as well as ample medicine and supplies for six months.

“I do not see any problem,” Dr. Masoud Moslemifard said, adding that the hospital has been prioritizing operations for those wounded in the war and postponing nonurgent surgeries.

Tighter security and still a lack of internet in Iran

In the streets of Tehran, security was tighter than usual Tuesday, with checkpoints in different parts of the capital. At major intersections, jeeps with heavy machine guns mounted on top were deployed.

Iran’s internet remains largely shut off, throttling news even as 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 prepare for possible attacks. She called this week the “worst atmosphere” since the war began.

“Honestly, we’ve kind of lost it at this point,” she said, describing how she’s not left home for the last few days and she and her family refuse to leave Tehran. “Whatever is going to happen, let it happen. We are dying bit by bit.”

One resident told AP that if the U.S. follows through on its threat, the people of Iran — not the government — will be the victims.

“By attacking infrastructure, the Islamic Republic will not be destroyed, only we will be destroyed,” the woman, 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 internet, and if we don’t have electricity, water, and gas, we’re really going back to the Stone Age, as Trump said.”

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Associated Press reporters Amir-Hussein Radjy in Cairo and Sahar Ameri in Berlin contributed.