Iran is developing biological and chemical warheads for the country’s long-range ballistic missiles, military sources said on Sunday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force is working on the unconventional warheads as it transfers missile launchers to the eastern regions of Iran, the sources told Iran International.
The sources, who remained anonymous, reported that the activity has accelerated in recent months and is being pursued as Tehran is increasingly concerned about the possibility of another confrontation with Israel and the United States.
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The programs are reportedly optimising ballistic missiles to carry chemical and biological agents and are also upgrading the associated command and control systems.
The warheads are to serve as a complementary deterrent factor alongside the country’s missile program, one source said.
“The Iranian leadership views potential Israeli and American attacks as a threat to its very existence and intends, in the event of a conflict, to significantly raise the cost for the opposing side.”the source said when asked about the conradiction of developing chemical weapons when the country was victims of such warfare when Saddam Hussein launched a chemical attack on Sardasht in western Iran.
“The use of unconventional weapons can be justified in situations of existential threat," the source added.
Israel has briefed the president of the United States recently during a meeting about the identification of Unusual activities by the IRGC Aerospace Force. Western intelligence agencies also reportedly increased monitoring and surveillance of the activities.
Analysts say that the reports, if confirmed, would trigger international reactions and alter the region's balance. The use of the weapons would also face widespread condemnation and intensify pressures on Tehran.
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