Fact Sheet: Iran’s Anthrax Bioweapons Program
Arlington, VA - The American Biodefense Action Coalition (ABAC), a coalition of Americans concerned about biological warfare, today released this updated Fact Sheet on Iran’s anthrax bioweapons program.
THE FACTS: IRAN’S ANTHRAX THREAT
Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, there are concerns Iran will retaliate though terror cells embedded in the U.S., with concerns of an anthrax terror strike that has potential to cause catastrophic damage.
Iran “very likely” possesses biological weapons that may be extraordinarily deadly and imminent – with potential to be deployed directly or through embedded 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]
In December 2025, reports emerged about on-going IRGC developments of biological weapons - such as anthrax - included in the warheads of ballistic missiles. Iran may be looking to develop biologically-armed missiles in an effort to maximize damage, as conventional missiles have generally been intercepted by U.S. forces.
The Iranian anthrax threat is not limited only to ballistic missiles, but also through a clandestine, domestic release from terror cells. 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 date 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 March 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]
In December 2025, reports emerged that Iran is working to include biological weapons, very likely to include anthrax, in ballistic missile warheads aimed at U.S. military installations.[13]
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. This includes stockpiles of Anthrax antitoxin countermeasures in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that save the lives of Anthrax patients and take these deadly bioweapons off the table. The SNS holds a longstanding 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.[14] Most concerning, under the Biden Administration, the SNS planned to zero-out all future Anthrax antitoxin stockpiles altogether, starting in FY26, eliminatingAmerica’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 anthrax preparedness requirements and requires annual reports submitted to Congress on preparedness efforts. A version of H.R. 2707 was also included in House Report Language in the FY26 NDAA, and the FY26 Senate LHHS Appropriations Report shares similar concerns of gaps in the SNS in their anthrax preparedness portfolio.
Members of Congress currently sponsoring/cosponsoring 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. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D., R-IA
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-PA
Rep. Austin Scott, R-GA
Rep. Tom Kean, R-NJ
Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-NH
Rep. John McGuire, R-VA
Rep. Kristen Rivet, D-MI
Members of Congress who are concerned about Iran’s Anthrax weapons should consider cosponsoring H.R. 2707 to ensure that American families and warfighters remain protected from Iran’s deadly Anthrax threats.
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The American Biodefense Action Coalition is a tax-exempt 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preparedness for biological threats. Given the risk of biological warfare to the United States, the coalition educates the public on the risk of biological threats and steps needed to prepare.
Learn more about the Coalition at AmericanBiodefense.org.
[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