Islamic Revolutionary Guard developing chemical and biological warheads for ballistic missiles

Military sources report that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is developing chemical and biological warheads for the country’s long-range ballistic missiles, while relocating missile launchers to eastern Iran. According to the sources, the effort has accelerated in recent months amid growing concern in Tehran over another potential confrontation with Israel and the United States.

The report was published Monday by Iran International, citing military sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information. The sources said the IRGC’s Aerospace Force is leading the program, which involves adapting ballistic missiles to carry non-conventional payloads alongside upgrades to related command-and-control systems.

As part of the effort, Iran has reportedly begun transferring missile launchers to the eastern parts of the country in an attempt to move them farther from the reach of Israeli airstrikes. Iran’s vast geography, with distances of more than 1,000 kilometers from west to east, is seen by planners as providing additional strategic depth.

The report comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to the United States. Netanyahu’s aircraft, Wing of Zion, landed in Florida on Sunday ahead of a meeting with President Donald Trump scheduled for Monday evening. During the meeting, Netanyahu is expected to brief Trump on possible future strike options against Iran, amid concerns that Tehran is rebuilding ballistic missile production facilities and repairing air defense systems damaged during Operation “With a Lion.”

According to the sources, much of the development is being conducted under the direct supervision of the IRGC Aerospace Force. The work reportedly includes modifying missile platforms to accommodate chemical and biological agents, as well as enhancing the infrastructure required to deploy and control such systems.

One source described the effort as part of broader preparations for scenarios involving large-scale conflict. In Tehran’s view, these capabilities would serve as an “additional deterrent factor” alongside Iran’s conventional missile arsenal.

“The Iranian leadership sees potential Israeli and American strikes as a threat to the regime’s very existence,” one source told Iran International. “In the event of a conflict, the intention is to significantly raise the price for the opposing side.”

The source added that at the highest levels of decision-making in Iran, there is a belief that “the use of non-conventional weapons could be justified in situations defined as an existential threat.”

Last week, Iran International reported that Western intelligence agencies had identified what they described as “unusual activity” by the IRGC Aerospace Force, prompting increased monitoring and surveillance. According to those reports, intelligence services are tracking command-and-control signals as well as logistical deployments and movements linked to the force.

The developments are likely to further heighten regional and international concern over Iran’s military ambitions and the potential escalation of an already volatile security environment.