Iran Moves to Equip Ballistic Missiles with Deadly Chemical and Biological Payloads

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is developing long-range ballistic missile warheads capable of carrying biological and chemical weapons, according to reports, as Tehran seeks to bolster deterrence against potential attacks by Israel and the United States.

The IRGC Aerospace Force is working on unconventional warheads for ballistic missiles, Iran International reported Monday, citing military sources. The outlet stated that this activity coincides with the transfer of missile launchers to eastern Iran.

Separately, Iran has made inquiries about acquiring biological and chemical weapons, though there is no proof it is developing or possessing such weapons, people familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

The reports emerged as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. Netanyahu was expected to brief Trump on options for potential future strikes against Iran amid concerns that Tehran is rebuilding ballistic missile production sites and repairing air defenses damaged by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in June.

Iran has accelerated its pursuit of unconventional warheads in recent months amid concerns about a more direct confrontation with Israel and the United States, according to Iran International, which cited sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The Revolutionary Guard, anticipating scenarios of major conflict, is building capabilities that, in the view of Iran’s decision-makers, would serve as a “complementary deterrent factor” alongside the nation’s conventional missile program. Programs overseen by the IRGC Aerospace Force include optimizing ballistic missiles to carry chemical and biological agents and upgrading associated command-and-control systems.

Iran has denied any efforts to acquire unconventional weapons and has declared itself committed to its global obligations, according to Iran International. However, over the years, Tehran has expanded the range, accuracy, and variety of its ballistic missiles, a program that has been a major source of concern for Western countries and regional states.

During remarks with reporters on Monday, Trump stated: “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down.” He added, “We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them.”

When asked whether he would support another Israeli airstrike on Iran if Tehran does not agree to a peace deal and begins rebuilding its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, Trump responded: “If they will continue with the missiles? Yes. The nuclear? Fast.”

Last week, Western intelligence agencies identified “unusual” activity by the IRGC Aerospace Force and have stepped up monitoring and surveillance. Sources indicated that intelligence services are tracking command-and-control signals as well as deployments and logistical movements linked to the force. Military analysts told Iran International that, if confirmed, the development of chemical and biological warheads could sharply alter the region’s deterrence balance and trigger broad international reaction. Any deployment of such weapons would likely draw widespread global condemnation and could pave the way for further sanctions and intensified pressure on Iran.