Reports from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) highlight growing concerns over Iran's secretive chemical weapons program. The FDD suggests the regime may have employed chemical agents against its own citizens during widespread protests, a potential violation of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.
Andrea Stricker, author of the FDD report, urged the U.S. and its allies to investigate these serious claims. The scrutiny intensifies as U.S. military presence grows in the Persian Gulf amid diplomatic talks.
Concerns persist that Iran may not make significant concessions on its nuclear program, potentially leading to U.S. military action. Experts suggest targeting Iran's chemical weapons facilities as a deterrent.
Israel has also voiced concerns, citing intelligence that Iran's Shahid Meisami Group was developing pharmaceutical-based agents for military use, possibly transferred to Syria and Iraqi militias.
While Iran denies these allegations, international bodies and the U.S. have previously found Iran in noncompliance with the CWC. The FDD recommends a pressure campaign, formal ultimatums, and for Israel to ratify the CWC to enhance credibility in combating Iranian violations.
Ultimately, experts suggest undermining the regime's power may be the only long-term solution to counter Iran's WMD threat.