Fact Sheet: Iran’s Anthrax Bioweapons Program
Arlington, VA - The American Biodefense Action Coalition (ABAC), a coalition of Americans concerned about the threat of biological warfare, today released this Fact Sheet on Iran’s biological weapons programs that poses a Material Threat Determination to the United States.
THE FACTS: IRAN’S DEADLY ANTHRAX THREAT
After strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend, there are concerns that Iran will retaliate, even threatening that terror cells embedded in the U.S. may be activated. Iran “very likely” possesses biological weapons that may be extraordinarily deadly and imminent – with potential to be deployed directly or through terror cells. Among the most concerning biological weapons includes Anthrax, a pathogen that is easy and inexpensive to develop and disseminate. Iran’s biological weapons programs have been assisted by Russia.[1]
Congressional modeling suggests a single Anthrax attack on a clear, calm night in Washington D.C. could kill between 1-3 million people.[2] Anthrax is “the most common agent that has been developed and used as a biological weapon by both state and non-state actors.”[3]
Concerns around Iran’s Anthrax bioweapons dates back decades:
In 2001, Iran tripled the size of their biological weapons program. Anthrax was the Iran’s first weaponized pathogen developed under this program.[4]
In 2003, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Imam Hussein University began production of Anthrax, as well as Anthrax-filled “Microbial Bombs” that could rapidly disseminate Anthrax pathogens.[5]
In 2007, Iran’s state-run Razi Institute biological research facility, announced the development of the 34F2 Anthrax vaccine – which potentially could be deployed for protection of Iranian warfighters, in preparation for offensive Anthrax strikes.[6]
In 2008, the Defense Intelligence Agency testified before the U.S. Senate that “Tehran continues to seek dual-use biological materials…that could enable ongoing biological warfare efforts.”[7]
In 2013, concerns emerged about Iranian proxy Hezbollah’s Anthrax weapons.[8]
In 2013, Iranian proxies in Syria were reported to have developed two biological weapons bases that are actively producing Anthrax in underground facilities.[9]
In 2018, Iranian researchers initiated new Anthrax antibody development, suggesting preparations for offensive programs.[10]
In 2019, the U.S. State Department assessed that “Iran has not abandoned its intention to conduct research and development of biological agents and toxins for offensive purposes. Also, Iran maintains flexibility to divert, upon leadership demand, legitimate research underway for biodefense and public health purposes to a capability to produce lethal [biological weapons].”[11]
In 2025, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence significantly elevated the risk assessment of Iran’s offensive biological weapons efforts from “probably” to “very likely.”[12]
EMERGING ANTHRAX PREPAREDNESS CONCERNS
The U.S. Government’s approach to countering Iran’s Anthrax program includes the stockpiling of life-saving countermeasures that deny the pathogen’s ability to cause destruction. Known as “Deterrence by Denial,” stockpiles of Anthrax antitoxin countermeasures in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that save the lives of Anthrax patients take these deadly bioweapons off the table. The SNS holds a requirement for the stockpiling of Anthrax antitoxin countermeasures for this reason.
Yet, due to chronic underfunding, the SNS has been unable to meet the required level for Anthrax antitoxin, greatly falling short per the most recent GAO evaluation.[13] Most concerning, under the Biden Administration, the SNS planned to cut all future Anthrax antitoxin stockpiling altogether, eliminating America’s only lifesaving defensive countermeasure capability.
Members of Congress continue to be concerned about this vulnerability, filing legislation (H.R. 2707, the Protecting American Families & Servicemembers From Anthrax Act.) that reverses the scheduled elimination of America’s lifesaving Anthrax countermeasures in the SNS.
H.R. 2707 requires the SNS and DoD to continue to meet their preparedness requirements and requiring annual reports to Congress on their efforts. Members of Congress currently on H.R. 2707 include the following national security/public health focused Members:
Rep. Don Davis, D-NC (Original Sponsor)
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-VA (Original Cosponsor)
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI
Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-NC
Rep. Deborah Ross, D-NC
Rep. Brad Finstad, R-MN
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-FL
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA
Rep. Mike Turner, R-OH
Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D., R-NC
Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-CA
Rep. Mark Messmer, R-IN
Rep. Miller-Meeks, M.D., R-IA
Members of Congress concerned about Iran’s Anthrax weapons should consider joining H.R. 2707 to ensure that American families and warfighters remain protected from Iran’s deadly Anthrax threats.
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[2] https://repository.digital.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/708086
[3] https://www.usanca.army.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=vfSRmHPb1IM%3D&portalid=114
[5] https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2003/iran-030515-bw.htm
[7] https://media.nti.org/pdfs/iran_biological.pdf
[8] https://www.israelhayom.co.il/opinion/79751
[9] https://www.timesofisrael.com/assads-biological-weapons-absent-from-us-russia-deal/
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29524493/
[12] https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2025-Unclassified-Report.pdf