Iran has started distributing iodine tablets to residents of the southern city of Bushehr, home to the country’s only operational nuclear power plant amid fears that US might strike again. This is being done as part of an emergency preparedness plan launched before the June 2025 war, the Young Journalists Club (YJC) news agency reported. The deputy head of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences for health affairs said the distribution initially prioritised areas surrounding the nuclear power plant before expanding to cover the entire city. A total of 180,000 iodine tablets have been distributed under a decision by crisis management authorities, the official told YJC.
Why is Iran distributing iodine tablets for radiation?
According to the World Health Organisation, during a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine may be released to the environment in a plume or cloud and subsequently contaminate soil, surfaces, food and water. It may settle on an individual’s skin and clothing, resulting in external exposure to radiation. Radioactive iodine deposited on skin can be removed by washing with warm water and soap, the WHO said.
"The thyroid gland can be protected from radioactive iodine by saturating it with stable (non-radioactive) iodine. This protective measure known as iodine thyroid blocking (ITB) consists of administering potassium iodide (KI) (1) tablets before or at the beginning of exposure to radioactive iodine. When taken at the appropriate dosage and within the correct time interval around exposure to radioactive iodine, KI saturates the thyroid gland with stable (non-radioactive) iodine. As a result, radioactive iodine will not be taken up and stored by the thyroid gland. Any iodine which exceeds the thyroid’s needs for production of thyroid hormones (either non-radioactive or radioactive) will be excreted through the urine within days," WHO said.
KI is not an antidote for radiation exposure. It only protects the thyroid gland and only if there is a risk of internal exposure to radioactive iodine (e.g., a nuclear power plant accident).
Can potassium iodide tablets be given to children?
Yes, when instructed by public health authorities. The risk of thyroid cancer in children following exposure to radioactive iodine is higher than in adults; younger age groups are at highest risk. As a result, the protection of children must be considered a priority when public health authorities distribute and administer KI to individuals. It should be given to all children at the recommended dosage. The only exceptions are children who have an absolute contraindication.
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Newborn babies (< 1 month of age) should only ever take a single dose of KI. These babies should have their thyroid hormone levels monitored after the administration of KI; a consultation with a paediatrician within the first week after the administration of KI is advisable. As thyroid function in newborn babies is critical for brain development, babies should have their thyroid hormone levels monitored after the administration of KI.
What about pregnant women?
pregnant women can take potassium iodide (KI) tablets during a radiation emergency, but only when instructed by public health authorities and at the recommended dosage.
WHO explains that pregnancy increases the amount of radioactive iodine absorbed by the mother's thyroid. The unborn baby's thyroid may also be exposed to radioactive iodine through the placenta. Taking KI as directed can help protect both the mother and her unborn child. Pregnant women are generally advised to take only a single dose. After the emergency, they should inform their doctor so the newborn's thyroid function can be evaluated.
Breastfeeding women should also take KI tablets only when instructed by health authorities. However, the amount of iodine passed to an infant through breast milk is not sufficient to protect the baby's thyroid from radioactive iodine exposure. Therefore, the infant must also receive KI at the recommended dosage for their age.
WHO states that breastfeeding can continue under these circumstances. Unless authorities provide different instructions, breastfeeding mothers and newborn babies should each take only a single dose of KI.
When can the KI tablets be taken?
The official explained that the tablets should be taken within a specific period surrounding potential exposure, from 24 hours before an incident to four hours afterwards, with doses varying according to age. Infants under one month are prescribed one-eighth of a tablet, children aged one month to three years one-quarter, those aged three to 12 half a tablet, and people over 12 a full tablet, the official said.
The tablets work by saturating the thyroid gland with stable iodine, reducing its ability to absorb radioactive iodine that may be released during a radiological emergency.
The announcement comes amid continued tensions between Iran and the US following the military offensive launched by Washington and Israel against Iran on February 28.
US President Donald Trump warned on November 1 that Washington could strike Iran’s remaining suspected nuclear facilities within 10 minutes, specifically mentioning Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear site.
Earlier, on October 16, Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran while raising the possibility of further conventional strikes against suspected Iranian nuclear facilities.
Bushehr, located along Iran’s Gulf coast, hosts the country’s only operational nuclear power plant, making radiological emergency preparedness a particular concern for local authorities.
