{
  "id": 18585823,
  "title": "Iran's health ministry denies report on iodine distribution over US strike fears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/irans-health-ministry-denies-report-on-iodine-distribution-over-us",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T22:36:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irans-health-ministry-denies-report-iodine-distribution-over-us-strike"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iran's health ministry has refuted a report by The Times of London claiming that the nation was distributing iodine tablets near its nuclear sites ahead of potential US strikes. The ministry's head of public relations, Hossein Kermanpour, stated on X that no official has spoken to The Times, and that the quote attributed to the ministry is incorrect. Kermanpour emphasized that the health system is prepared for various scenarios and threats from an enemy that does not spare even children, but declared a state of war is not within the ministry's authority. He also criticized publishing unverified reports during such times as irresponsible. The London-based newspaper had quoted an unnamed health ministry official who said Iran was handing out iodine tablets to communities within two to three kilometres of its nuclear facilities. The official expressed concern that \"Trump can no longer be trusted\" and may proceed with the alleged \"crime,\" noting that Iran had previously distributed the tablets to protect the thyroid gland from radiation within the specified distance from its nuclear sites.",
  "summary": "Iran's health ministry denies report on iodine distribution over US strike fears Iran's health ministry has denied a report by The Times of London that it was distributing iodine tablets near its nuclear sites to prepare for possible US strikes. \"No Ministry of Health official has spoken to The Times, and the quote attributed to the ministry is false,\" Hossein Kermanpour, head of the ministry's…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Iran distributes iodine tablets amid fears of strike on Pickaxe Mountain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/iran-distributes-iodine-tablets-amid-fears-of-strike-on-pickaxe",
        "published": "2026-11-06T20:58:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}