Disclosure of Potential Islamic Republic’s Use of Chemical Weapons Against Protesters

A shocking report about the Islamic Republic’s use of chemical weapons against protesters in the shadow of bloody crackdowns and international pressures reveals a new chapter in the Islamic Republic’s crimes against demonstrators.

The publication of a fresh report in the United States has once again drawn attention to the dark dimensions of suppressing nationwide protests in Iran; protests that from the bloody winters to recent nationwide uprisings have been accompanied by widespread arrests, direct shooting at protesters, and suspicious deaths in detention centers. Now a more alarming claim has been raised: Has the Iranian government gone further and used prohibited chemical agents against its own citizens?

The “Fox News” network on the morning of Wednesday, February 25, cited a report prepared by the American think tank, Foundation for Defense of Democracies. In this report, the international community has been asked to independently investigate whether prohibited chemical substances were used to suppress protesters during the nationwide protests in December or not.

“Andrea Stricker,” the author of this report, referring to what she called the Islamic Republic’s “hidden chemical weapons program,” warned that the focus of Western policymakers has primarily been on Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of chemical activities has received less attention. He also stated: “The United States, its allies, and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons should investigate credible claims about the Iranian regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own people.”

This request effectively puts the ball in the court of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; an institution responsible for monitoring the implementation of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Iran is a signatory to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; a treaty that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of these weapons. The Islamic Republic has always portrayed itself as a victim of Iraqi chemical attacks in the 1980s and on this basis has condemned the use of these weapons.

However, in recent years, reports from human rights organizations have been published about the widespread use of unknown gases or severe irritant compounds during protests. Some witnesses have spoken of a pungent odor, acute respiratory symptoms, and mass poisonings; incidents that, while not officially confirmed, if proven, could constitute a clear violation of Iran’s international commitments.

In addition, during nationwide protests in Iran, numerous reports were published by families and some local sources showing that the bodies of some of the deceased had unusual signs of burns and severe skin damage. According to some medical staff members who did not want their names disclosed, the nature of these injuries in some cases resembled burns caused by chemical agents and raised “the possibility of exposure to unknown substances.” However, due to the security environment prevailing in medical centers and pressure on doctors and nurses to remain silent, no official confirmation or independent public report was published in this regard. This same ambiguity and lack of transparency has added to concerns about the methods used in suppressing protesters.

Stricker has also gone further and suggested that in the event of a possible US military action against the Iranian government, facilities related to research and production of chemical weapons should also be included in the list of targets; a suggestion that indicates the seriousness of concerns in some security circles in Washington.

The publication of this report comes at a time when representatives of Tehran and Washington are scheduled to meet in Geneva. Abbas Araghchi, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Minister, had previously said: “An agreement is within reach if diplomacy is prioritized.” In contrast, US officials have emphasized that any agreement must address broader security concerns.

Critics of the Iranian government say that experience in recent years has shown that concurrent with diplomatic negotiations, domestic repression has not only not decreased but has intensified. From the December 2017 protests to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in 2022, numerous reports have been published of massacres, torture, and forced confessions; reports that have also been cited by independent international bodies.

Meanwhile, the US government has announced a new round of sanctions against networks related to the sale of Iranian oil and missile and drone programs. These measures have been implemented by the United States Department of the Treasury and within the framework of the “maximum pressure” policy, targeting more than 30 individuals, companies, and ships.

According to US officials, the Islamic Republic’s oil revenues are not spent to improve the living conditions of the people, but for domestic repression, support for regional proxy groups, and the development of advanced weapons. In this sanctions package, networks that help supply raw materials such as “sodium perchlorate” for solid fuel for ballistic missiles have also been targeted.

Also, four senior officials of the Quds Aeronautics Industries affiliated with the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Defense have been sanctioned for their role in developing drones that are said to have been placed at the disposal of Russia and Venezuela.

If the claims raised about the use of chemical agents have even some truth to them, we are facing one of the most shocking cases of human rights violations in recent decades; the possible use of prohibited weapons not on the battlefield, but against unarmed citizens.

The Islamic Republic has rejected these accusations and calls them “psychological warfare.” However, the history of violent suppression of protests, systematic cover-ups, and severe restrictions on independent media in Iran have added to the scope of doubts.

As diplomatic negotiations continue, a fundamental question is raised: Will the international community once again focus solely on the nuclear file, or this time will human rights issues and claims related to chemical weapons be seriously placed on the agenda?

The fate of this question is vital not only for the future of Tehran-West relations but also for millions of Iranians who in recent years have paid the price of their peaceful protests with their lives and freedom.