Iran Distributes Iodine Tablets Near Nuclear Sites as US Weighs Renewed Strikes

Iran has begun distributing iodine tablets to residents living near its nuclear facilities as concern grows over the possibility of renewed US military action against the country. According to a report by The Times of London, which cited an Iranian Health Ministry official, the government has started providing the preventive medication to people living close to sensitive nuclear installations. Al Jazeera also reported the development. The move comes amid reports that Washington is considering restarting military operations against Tehran.

When asked whether iodine tablets were being distributed, the Iranian official reportedly confirmed: “Yes, we are distributing iodine.” The official also expressed doubts about US President Donald Trump’s intentions and said Tehran could no longer rely on his assurances. Warning of another American attack, the official said Trump might “go through with this crime.” According to the official, Iran has a practice of distributing iodine tablets to people living within two to three kilometres of nuclear facilities whenever military tensions increase or the possibility of conflict becomes serious.

Iodine tablets are used to protect the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine during a nuclear emergency. The measure is particularly important for people living near nuclear installations, where an accident or attack could potentially expose residents to radioactive materials.

Al Jazeera, citing an Iranian political journalist, reported that Washington is seriously considering an attack on Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified nuclear site, and that officials in Tehran were informed about the possibility of such an operation during a recent briefing. Trump met members of his national security team on Thursday to consider whether the United States should resume military operations against Iran. Senior American officials confirmed the meetings to Fox News, which reported that important discussions were held at the White House on Wednesday and Thursday. Fox News also drew attention to November 9, when a new moon is expected to leave parts of the Middle East with little or no moonlight, a condition that could potentially favour military operations.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said the United States would soon “make a decision” on whether to restart the war. He also questioned whether further military action would be required to ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme was completely dismantled and could not be restarted in the future. “I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You’ll know soon enough,” Trump said, indicating that additional strikes remained a possibility.

Reports citing an American official suggest that the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) is completing preparations for a possible return to large-scale military operations against Iran. However, no formal order from the US government to launch another military campaign has reportedly been issued so far. Countries in the region have expressed worry that their territories could become involved if Washington and Tehran resume direct military confrontation.

During a telephone conversation with Trump on Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi stressed that Iraqi territory should not be used as a base for military operations against neighbouring countries, a call for peacemaking across the region (Matthew 5:9). The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office later repeated this position in a statement shared on X. “Mr. Prime Minister affirmed Iraq’s position calling for respect for the sovereignty of states, non-use of its territories as a launchpad for aggression against neighbouring countries.”

Source: Read the original report