Thousands rallied in Tehran on Monday (April 13) in support of the Iranian government and against the U.S. blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Zahra, a 32-year-old beauty salon owner at the protest, dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats as empty, noting that earlier warnings had not been carried out.

“He said he would strike our power plants and our infrastructure, and even take one of our islands, but none of it happened,” she said. “These are just empty promises. We are not afraid of his threats,” she said.

The U.S. military began a blockade of ships leaving Iran's ports on Monday, President Donald Trump said, and Tehran threatened to retaliate against its Gulf neighbors' ports after weekend talks in Islamabad on ending the war broke down.

A U.S. official said there was continued engagement with Iran, and forward motion on trying to get to an agreement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said efforts were still under way to resolve the conflict.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TEHRAN, IRAN (APRIL 13, 2026) (REUTERS - No use BBC Persian. No use VOA Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International. No use Radio Farda.) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. VARIOUS OF CROWD WAVING IRANIAN FLAGS

2. CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC “God is great”

3. CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC “God is great”

4. CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC “There is no god other than the god, and US is the god’s enemy”

5. WOMAN IN PROTEST

6. WOMEN PRAYING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) PROTESTER WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HER NAME, SAYING:

"First, you make many threats and carry out none of them. And even if your threats are carried out, we know that our country’s armed forces will fully respond to them. We are present in these streets to support our country’s system and its armed forces, and under our support they will fully carry out their duty."

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) PROTESTER, MILAD ESABATI. SAYING:

"In the recent development regarding the blockade, or the claim of a blockade, and the remarks he (U.S. President Donald Trump) made about the fast ships, what it essentially shows is that Trump’s statements and actions during these forty to fifty days of war clearly demonstrate that the United States has reached a point of desperation and helplessness in confronting Iran’s capabilities."

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) 32-YEAR OLD PROTESTER AND BEAUTY SALON OWNER, ZAHRA, SAYING:

"For example, he (Trump) said he would strike many of our power plants and our infrastructure. He said many strange things. He said he would come and take one of our islands, but none of his promises were fulfilled. This is just another promise like the others. All of them are empty. We are not afraid of his threats and we have no fear at all."

7. MAN WAVING IRANIAN FLAG

8. WOMAN HOLDING PORTRAIT OF LATE SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI

9. PEOPLE WAVING IRANIAN FLAG

10. WOMEN LIGHTING CANDLES IN REMEMBRANCE OF LATE SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI

11. PEOPLE WALKING

12. PEOPLE WAVING FLAGS

13. PEOPLE WAVINGING AYATOLLAH FLAG