Iran's state television has broadcast advice telling residents how to prepare for a possible nuclear strike, as commentators warn that US President Donald Trump could be days away from launching an attack on the country.
The guidance includes instructions not to look at the blast, to take shelter in a building for at least 24 hours, and to stay away from windows and doors.
Fears of imminent strike on Iran
Right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson has indicated that the Trump administration may be within days of targeting Iran's Pickax Mountain. In a post on X, Carlson wrote: "Under pressure from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Trump administration may be within days of launching a nuclear strike on Iran."
Carlson added: "Netanyahu is cornered and desperate… Netanyahu must stay close to Trump. He needs this war."
He claimed the target would be Pickax Mountain in central Iran, where Israeli intelligence alleges the Iranian government has restarted its nuclear enrichment program. Carlson said no conventional weapon in the American arsenal could penetrate 300 feet of solid granite to destroy the tunnels where enrichment is supposedly taking place, adding: "The only military option is a nuclear strike. Netanyahu has been pushing hard for one."
Carlson, who has grown increasingly critical of the Israeli government and unconditional US support in recent times, gave no evidence but cited an "informed observer".
Accusations of cover-up
The warnings come as the US midterm elections approach, with rivals fearing Trump might take drastic action while under ballot pressure. Earlier this week, Democrat senator Chris Murphy accused the Trump administration of a "cover up" in Iran.
Murphy said: "[Trump] does not want the American people to understand the damage that has been done in Iran. We were denied access to speak to any US defence leaders."
He also warned that an "insane" Trump could be days away from a "catastrophic escalation in Iran" which would be "devastating for US security". Murphy added: "We don't yet know what the rubble [of Iran] will look like."
The Democrat suffered a stroke days after the warning and is now fighting for his life in hospital.
Carlson also claimed that Netanyahu, facing political difficulty after recent election results, needs Trump's support to remain in power. He said Netanyahu could not form a government unless Trump intervenes directly in Israeli politics and brokers a deal giving Netanyahu 61 seats in the Knesset, otherwise he faces "ignominy, investigations and possibly jail".
