US military prepares for new strikes on Iran as state media issue nuclear alerts
Axios reports American forces are making final preparations for large-scale attacks, while Tehran's Education Ministry insists schools remain open.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
The conflict between Washington and Tehran has cooled in recent months, but signs of a new escalation are emerging. On November 5, the news outlet Axios reported that the United States military is making final preparations for a possible resumption of large-scale strikes against Iran. This development comes two days after the US midterm election.
State media in Iran have begun broadcasting specific safety instructions for citizens. On November 2, Iranian state television aired an advisory regarding protective measures in the event of a nuclear strike. The broadcast told residents to remain in a shelter for at least 24 hours. This announcement follows US President Donald Trump hinting at an attack on the Pickaxe Mountain bunker, a site located about 220 kilometers south of Tehran near the Natanz nuclear facility. Iran denies that its nuclear program operates at that location.
The Education Ministry in Tehran has urged the public to maintain normal routines despite the tension. Spokesperson Ali Farhadi stated in a media interview that people should ignore rumors designed to force schools to close. He confirmed that the ministry, working with security authorities, will decide if schools stay open and will reassess the situation if the security outlook changes. Some parents of private school students have shared messages on social media outlining emergency procedures should the war resume.
Observers note that domestic media in Iran have limited information about the ongoing diplomatic efforts. Qatari mediators are currently pressing both governments to agree on a draft peace deal to prevent further escalation. However, Iranian journalist Hadi Mohammadi wrote on X on October 31 that local reporters know little about the substance of these closed-door negotiations. He noted that domestic outlets often wait for international sources to break news, making local journalism difficult.
Hamidreza Azizi, a senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, told DW that Iran views the midterm results as a victory. He said some in Tehran frame the outcome as revenge for the US-Israeli assassination of senior Iranian leaders earlier in the war. Azizi expects Iran to take a harder line on its core demands. He added that Trump has at least two months before the new Congress takes office and could resume strikes to offset a domestic setback with a foreign policy victory.
Daily life in Tehran continues under a cloud of uncertainty. A 37-year-old mother told DW that her children have returned to school, as keeping them home in their small apartment was not a workable solution. She described a constant sense of fear, noting she flinches at loud noises. Meanwhile, a 72-year-old retired woman from western Iran said she avoids the news deliberately, stating she is glad her three children have emigrated.
