CBRN event in Iran, Islamic Republic of on Sat 17th January 2026

A former British lawmaker says Iranian authorities may have used "toxic chemical substances" during the deadliest crackdown on protests in the country's contemporary history, citing a "credible report" he has reviewed.

"People believe some kind of toxic chemical substance has been used against protestors," Bill Rammell told GB News, "causing some of the injured to lose their lives days later."

Newsweek later quoted him as saying the report came from "credible Iranian-Kurdish sources" but has not been confirmed yet.

If true, these would represent an "extraordinary" escalation in Iran’s tactics against its own citizens, the former MP said.

On January 8, a video obtained by Iran International appeared to show security forces using unconventional weapons to confront protesters in Sabzevar in eastern Iran.

The footage showed individuals wearing hazmat suits and masks designed for hazardous chemical materials, positioned on sand-colored vehicles deployed on the streets of Sabzevar. In the video, a yellow triangular sign with a dark border—indicating a warning for hazardous materials—is visible.