Iran Building New Types of Missile Warhead: Report
Iran is reportedly developing chemical and biological warheads for its long‑range ballistic missiles, accelerating its deterrence program amid rising tensions with Israel and the U.S., according to media reports citing military officials.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. could support further Israeli strikes on Iran if Tehran moves to rebuild its long-range missile capabilities or advances its nuclear weapons program. Iran has continued to expand the range, precision and variety of its ballistic missiles, alarming Western and regional governments.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week that Iran is in a “full-scale war” with the U.S., Europe and Israel, vowing a harsh response to any attacks in response to Trump’s threat. Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran’s main nuclear facilities during a broader Israeli military campaign also targeting Iran’s missile facilities in June.
What To Know
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is working on the unconventional warheads for ballistic missiles while also repositioning missile launchers to the country's eastern regions outlet Iran International quoted military sources as saying in a Monday report. The sources, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said these activities have accelerated in recent months.
The warheads are designed to carry and disperse chemical or biological agents when delivered by ballistic missiles, rather than conventional explosives, as an added form of deterrence alongside Iran's existing missile force.
While the report noted that if confirmed, the move could drastically alter the region's deterrence balance, it could trigger more intensified pressure on Tehran. Chemical and biological weapons are prohibited under international conventions to which Iran is a signatory.
During the June conflict, Iran relied on barrages of ballistic missiles and drones in retaliatory strikes against Israel. Iran has since signaled that it has built a new generation of advanced missiles that are ready to be used against Israel in the event of another attack.
Tehran has also turned to longtime allies for diplomatic and security support. An August Israeli media report warned of increased cooperation between Iran and China in the production of surface‑to‑surface missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against Iran rebuilding its missile program as he met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago this week. Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu claimed Iranian forces have been conducting drills that simulate launching ballistic missiles toward Israel, warning Tehran of “devastating” consequences if it attempts such attacks.
What People Are Saying
An Iranian military source told outletIran International: “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 use of unconventional weapons can be justified in situations of existential threat.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News Tuesday: “They’re trying to recover their ballistic missile production facility… We set them back considerably…They’ll try.”
President Donald Trump told reporters Monday at Mar-a-Lago: “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again. And if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening.”
What Happens Next
Iran’s leadership is likely to strongly boost its missile program amid fears of potential new strikes by Israel or the U.S. and even as Western sanctions deepen economic strain and public discontent grows.
Newsweek