Amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel, Iran has issued a rare public advisory explaining how citizens should protect themselves in the event of a nuclear explosion. The eight-minute video released by state-run IRNA provides instructions on finding shelter, preventing radioactive contamination and surviving nuclear fallout. The advisory marks a significant shift in Tehran's public messaging, highlighting growing concerns over a possible military escalation and its humanitarian consequences.
Iranian authorities have identified four major dangers associated with a nuclear explosion: intense radiation from the initial flash, destructive blast waves, extreme heat and the release of radioactive materials. Ebrahim Adelzadeh, deputy director of education and research at the Isfahan Red Crescent Society, has advised residents to seek protection in basements or sturdy buildings, preferably in rooms located towards the centre of structures and away from windows. People have been instructed to shut doors and windows and switch off air conditioners and ventilation systems that draw outside air indoors.
Those caught in the open should avoid looking directly at the explosion's flash, lie close to the ground, take cover behind a protective barrier and shield their heads and faces. Once the initial blast wave passes, they should move into the nearest secure building rather than remain outside watching or photographing the event. Vehicles have specifically been ruled out as suitable shelters. Residents have also been advised to remain indoors for at least 24 hours, although they should continue following official instructions rather than assume that the danger automatically disappears after this period.
A particularly serious concern highlighted in the advisory is radioactive fallout, which could travel considerable distances through atmospheric currents and threaten populations far beyond the original explosion site. Adelzadeh has urged people living away from the affected area to take official warnings seriously and assess the safety of their homes and workplaces according to information provided by competent authorities. If radioactive dust is suspected, people should carefully remove their outer clothing, seal it in plastic bags and wash exposed skin and hair with lukewarm water and soap. Packaged food and bottled water have been recommended to minimise the risk of consuming contaminated substances.
The guidance also addresses medical precautions, with Abbas Abedi, spokesperson for Isfahan's pre-hospital emergency services, warning against taking iodine tablets without medical advice. Stable iodine can help protect the thyroid against certain forms of radioactive iodine exposure, but it cannot prevent damage from other radioactive materials or radiation itself. Prussian Blue, meanwhile, may be prescribed in specific cases of internal contamination involving radioactive caesium-137. Another concern is the possibility of electromagnetic pulses disrupting electronic equipment and communication networks. Citizens have therefore been encouraged to keep battery-powered radios available to receive emergency instructions.
The choice of Isfahan for releasing the guidance is noteworthy because the province houses the Natanz nuclear facility. Speculation has intensified over a possible US strike on Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground nuclear-related site near Natanz. US President Donald Trump had indicated on October 16 that Washington could target the mountain while explicitly ruling out the use of nuclear weapons. More recently, American commentator Tucker Carlson alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pressing Trump to consider a nuclear strike, although the allegation has not been independently established.
Against this backdrop, Iran's advisory carries significance beyond routine disaster preparedness. It demonstrates how the possibility of a wider conflict is increasingly shaping public communication and emergency planning. While the instructions are preventive rather than evidence of an imminent nuclear attack, they underline the potentially devastating humanitarian consequences of any escalation involving nuclear facilities or weapons. For ordinary citizens, the message is unmistakable: preparedness, reliable information and adherence to emergency instructions could become critical to survival in an extreme nuclear emergency.
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