The Iranian government has begun delivering radiation-blocking medication to citizens living in the immediate vicinity of its nuclear installations to protect against potential fallout, a Health Ministry official confirmed. These iodine tablets are being provided to residents within 2 to 3km of sensitive facilities as the country increases its civil defense readiness in the face of escalating geopolitical threats.

The distribution follows the first-ever issuance of public nuclear survival guidelines by Iranian state media, including a broadcast by Isfahan emergency services advising citizens to stay in basements for at least 24 hours and avoid using conditioner during decontamination showers. The warnings come amid claims by commentator Tucker Carlson that the U.S. could target the Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz, while former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent estimated the probability of a U.S. nuclear strike in the region to be above 10%.