The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) provided evidence of a top-secret unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) site in Iran, north of Qom City in the Ganjine region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are trained at the base to use various drones, including the Mohajer series. The site also reportedly trains Iranian proxy operatives from Hezbollah, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) emphasized the site as a proving ground for drones and called for Western governments to hold Tehran accountable for its actions.
Qods Aviation Industry, listed on the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list, manufactures drones like the Mohajer-10 which has a 300kg payload and a 2,000km range. These drones have been exported to Iranian proxies worldwide, posing a threat to global security. Drones have played a significant role in recent escalations, with over 160 attacks on U.S. forces by pro-Iranian militias between October 2023 and February 2024, resulting in a deadly attack on three U.S. service members in Jordan. The Biden administration’s sanction waivers to Iran have raised concerns about funding its war efforts.
Iran has used drones and missiles in retaliation against Israel for previous attacks, with indications that the Mohajer system was deployed. The conflict has also involved drones in the covert battles between Israel and Hezbollah at the northern border. While Mohajer drones have spread to allies like Syria, Hezbollah, and others, it is unclear if they were involved in recent attacks. The expansion of the UAV testing ground near Qom, as reported by MEK, reveals Iran’s focus on asymmetric warfare and the involvement of Khamenei in overseeing the drone project.
The MEK’s report highlights the regime’s strategy of using drones and missiles through proxies to execute operations. The MEK urges Western states to follow the U.S.’ lead in designating the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. Brett Velicovich, an expert on drone warfare, believes that Iran orchestrated the Oct. 7 attacks using proxy groups, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to monitor Iran’s drone development closely to avoid long-term consequences and threats. In conclusion, the increasing use of drones in conflicts involving Iran and its proxies poses a significant threat to regional and global security, necessitating firm action and accountability from Western governments.
