For many years, the debate surrounding Iran has largely focused on centrifuges, uranium reserves, and levels of enrichment. However, this perspective might now be considered obsolete. If recent evaluations hold true, Tehran is not just moving back toward nuclear capabilities but is also integrating advanced ballistic missiles with potential chemical and biological payloads. This isn’t merely an incremental increase in pressure; it’s a significant strategic escalation.
Israeli military expert Amir Avivi has expressed concerns that the Islamic Republic is “actively preparing for conflict and developing ballistic missiles, including ones with chemical and biological capabilities, which pose serious threats that must be addressed.”
Avivi, who previously served as a brigadier general in the IDF and is now an advisor to the Israeli government, highlighted ongoing discussions within Israel’s defense circles about these unconventional threats.
This claim shifts the entire narrative. While nuclear weapons serve as deterrents and tools for regime preservation, equipping ballistic missiles with chemical or biological warheads introduces a new dynamic. These are not just about destroying infrastructure; they aim to create chaos, cripple civilian responses, and disrupt decision-making processes. If there’s any truth to these reports, this marks a significant step up the escalation ladder.
Avivi also pointed out the psychological impact of such weaponry.
Previous reports have detailed instances during Iran’s domestic crackdowns where “unknown chemical substances” were allegedly used in multiple cities. Witnesses described experiencing difficulty breathing and sudden fatigue. Video evidence reportedly showed security personnel in protective gear near trucks labeled with hazardous material warnings.
“It’s the kind of weapon that can create mass hysteria. We know that they’re producing ballistic missiles around the clock, and the ballistic missiles they are producing now are more sophisticated than the ones they shot in the 12-Day War.”
Earlier reporting described incidents during Iran’s domestic crackdown in which “unknown chemical substances” were allegedly deployed in several cities. Eyewitnesses reported breathing difficulties and sudden weakness. Video reviewed by the outlet reportedly showed security forces in protective gear alongside trucks marked with hazardous substance warnings.
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That footage matters. If chemical agents were used internally, even in limited fashion, it suggests more than theory. It suggests stockpiles, handling protocols, trained personnel, and delivery infrastructure. The leap from domestic suppression to battlefield or missile application is not automatic, but it is not imaginary either.
ویدیوی دریافتشده از سبزوار نشان میدهد در پی تداوم خیزش ملی ایرانیان در شامگاه چهارشنبه ۱۷ دیماه، نیروهای امنیتی جمهوری اسلامی از سلاحهای غیرمتعارف برای مقابله با معترضان استفاده کردهاند. تصاویر، افرادی را با لباس و ماسک محافظ ویژه برای مواد شیمیایی خطرناک نشان میدهد که بر… pic.twitter.com/QFpC3oy6Ne
— ايران اينترنشنال (@IranIntl) January 8, 2026
On the nuclear front, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivered a parallel warning during an interview.
“They’re probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material. And that’s really dangerous. So they can’t have that.”
Context is important. Following joint strikes in 2025, Iran is believed to lack access to key materials, enrichment machines, and an operational weapons program at present. But senior officials are again speaking in terms of weeks when discussing enrichment potential under certain conditions. That alone narrows the margin for miscalculation.
Taken together, these warnings point to something larger than a routine diplomatic dispute. Allegations of chemical and biological warhead development combined with renewed enrichment timelines signal a regime testing boundaries on multiple fronts at once.
This is not panic territory. It is red flag territory. If Israel’s assessment is even partly correct, the Iran debate is no longer confined to uranium percentages and inspection regimes. It becomes a question of what kind of weapons Tehran is preparing to use and what kind of war it is preparing to fight. History shows that when threats evolve this quickly, they rarely remain theoretical for long.
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