Iran Distributes Iodine Tablets Amid Fears of US Strikes

Iran has begun distributing iodine tablets to people living near its nuclear facilities amid concerns over possible renewed US military strikes.

The move comes as reports suggest that US President Donald Trump is considering resuming military operations against Iran.

An Iranian Health Ministry official confirmed the distribution of iodine tablets, saying, “Yes, we are distributing iodine.”

The official added that Iran routinely provides the preventive medication to people living within two to three kilometres of nuclear facilities when military tensions escalate. The official also said Trump could launch another attack and that he could no longer be trusted.

Iodine tablets are used to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine in the event of a nuclear incident. However, their distribution does not necessarily indicate that a radiation leak or nuclear emergency is imminent.

Possible US military action

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Washington is considering further military action against Iran.

An Iranian political journalist told Al Jazeera that officials had recently been briefed about the possibility of a US strike on Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility.

Fox News reported that Trump discussed whether to resume military operations against Iran with his national security team during meetings at the White House on Wednesday and Thursday.

The report also noted that a new moon is expected over the Middle East on November 9, leaving little moonlight at night. Such conditions can sometimes be advantageous for military operations, although there has been no confirmation that an attack is planned for that date.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said a decision on whether to resume the war against Iran would be made soon. He also questioned whether the United States should carry out further strikes to completely halt Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump said he would prefer not to destroy the rest of Iran but might have to do so.

A US official also said the US Central Command was completing preparations for a possible resumption of major military operations against Iran. However, no formal order to launch an operation had been issued.

Iraq opposes use of its territory for attacks

Amid the rising tensions, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi spoke by phone with Trump on Thursday.

During the conversation, he made clear that Iraq would not allow its territory to be used for attacks against neighbouring countries.

A statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s office said Iraqi territory must not be used as a base for aggression against neighbouring countries. It also called for respect for the sovereignty of all states.

Iraq's position comes amid concerns that renewed US military action against Iran could spread across the region.