A growing chemical weapons alarm surrounds Iran after a new report alleged the regime may have used banned agents against protesters during unrest that began in December 2025. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) warns that Tehran’s opaque chemical weapons program has received far less scrutiny than its nuclear ambitions, despite potential violations of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
“The United States, its allies and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) should investigate credible claims that Iran’s regime used chemical weapons against its own people,” Andrea Stricker, deputy director of FDD’s nonproliferation program, told Fox News Digital.
The report surfaces as President Trump increases pressure on Tehran. The U.S. has expanded its military presence in the Persian Gulf, deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford alongside other warships. At the same time, indirect talks mediated by Oman continue in Geneva.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated, “Iran will resume talks with the U.S. in Geneva with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal—in the shortest possible time.” He added, “A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.”
Despite diplomatic signals, U.S. intelligence has repeatedly cited Iran for noncompliance with the CWC as recently as 2024. Israel’s deputy ambassador to the Netherlands, Yaron Wax, warned in July 2025 that “over the past two decades Iran has been developing a chemical weapons program based on weaponized pharmaceutical agents.”
Stricker urged stronger action, stating, “If Washington launches strikes against Iran, it should give serious consideration to targeting the regime’s chemical weapons research and production facilities.” She added, “The only solution to Iran’s persistent WMD threat is for the United States and Israel to undermine the regime’s grip on power.”
The FDD report calls for formal ultimatums, expanded monitoring, and intensified international pressure to confront the chemical weapons alarm before further escalation.
