Iran Denies Reports of Iodine Tablet Distribution

Reports recently claimed that Iran was distributing iodine tablets to people living within two to three kilometres of its nuclear facilities amid concerns about possible US military strikes. According to a report by British newspaper The Times, an unnamed Iranian Health Ministry official said that such tablets were being distributed as a precaution during periods of conflict. Iodine tablets, specifically potassium iodide, can help protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine exposure during certain nuclear emergencies. However, they do not protect against a nuclear explosion or other forms of radiation.

Iran’s Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour challenged the report, stating that no ministry official had spoken to The Times and that the quotation attributed to the ministry was false. He also said that Iran’s healthcare system was prepared to deal with various threats and emergency scenarios. Kermanpour criticised the publication of unverified reports amid the prevailing tensions. However, his statement did not explicitly clarify whether iodine tablets had been distributed to residents near nuclear facilities. The reported distribution therefore remains unconfirmed, while concerns over possible military escalation continue.