Iran distributes iodine tablets near nuclear sites amid fear of US strike

Amid fears of a US attack, Iran has begun distributing iodine tablets to people living around its nuclear sites. An official of Iran's health ministry has confirmed this.

The official was quoted as saying, "Yes, we are distributing iodine." The official also said, "Trump can no longer be trusted. He may well commit this crime."

According to the official, whenever military tensions have risen, the Iranian administration has regularly distributed this protective medicine within a 2 to 3 km radius of nuclear installations. The tablets are said to be meant to protect the thyroid gland from radiation.

Meanwhile, a political journalist in Iran said that in a recent briefing, government officials were told that a US strike on Iran's heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site is being seriously considered.

Activity has also picked up on the US side. According to senior officials, President Donald Trump met his national security team on Thursday. The discussion was on whether to resume military action against Iran. The officials said important meetings were held at the White House on both Wednesday and Thursday.

The officials also said that November 9 is a new moon in the Middle East, meaning there will be little or no moonlight. This is considered highly favourable for military operations.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said Washington would soon "decide" on restarting the war. He asked whether the US should carry out more strikes so that Iran's nuclear programme is ended for good and "this never happens again."

On the gravity of the situation, Trump said, "I would not want to destroy the rest of the country, if possible. But maybe I'll have to. You'll find out soon."

According to the latest reports citing a US official, US Central Command is finalising preparations to resume major operations in Iran. However, formal instructions have not yet come from Washington.

In a telephone conversation on Thursday, Iraq's Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi told Trump that Iraqi territory must under no circumstances be used for attacks on neighbouring countries. In a statement on X, the Prime Minister's office said he reiterated Iraq's position of respecting the sovereignty of nations and not allowing its territory to become a launchpad for attacks against neighbouring countries.