The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) revealed to Fox News Digital the presence of a secretive UAV site in Iran, where IRGC members are trained to use various drones, including the Mohajer series. Employees of Qods Aviation Industry are reported to train proxy operatives from Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy groups in using drones like the Mohajer-4. The NCRI, based on information from the MEK, stated that the site serves as a proving ground for Mohajer-4, Mohajer-6, and Mohajer-10 drones. Alireza Jafarzadeh of NCRI urged Western governments to be firm with Tehran, holding it accountable for its belligerence and terror export activities.
Qods Aviation Industry, listed on the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, has developed new drones like the Mohajer-10, capable of carrying a 300-kilogram payload over a range of 2,000 kilometers. These drones, equipped with deadly capabilities, are believed to be exported to Iranian proxies globally. Iran’s use of drones to sow chaos and discord while maintaining plausible deniability has raised concerns about the regime’s intentions in the Middle East and beyond.
Drones have played a role in escalating conflicts overseas, with pro-Iranian militias attacking U.S. forces multiple times using drones. A deadly strike by an Iranian proxy group using a drone killed three U.S. service members in Jordan, attributed to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. Iran further utilized drones and missiles in a retaliatory attack on Israel in April 2024, following an earlier bombing in Syria. The potential for drones to be used in these conflicts to destabilize regions is a growing concern.
The MEK provided evidence showing that the Qom drone site has expanded over the years, serving as a key training ground for drones used in asymmetric warfare. The regime’s development and distribution of drones to allies and proxy groups, as well as direct involvement in attacks, underscore the strategic importance of drone technology in Iran’s military activities. The MEK’s report highlighted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s direct oversight of Iran’s drone project since 2004.
Concerns remain about Iran’s continued efforts to build up its drone capabilities and the potential long-term impact on regional stability and security. The lack of clarity on the true extent of Iranian drone programs poses a challenge for U.S. efforts to counter these threats effectively. Experts warn that the proliferation of sophisticated drones in the hands of Iranian proxies could lead to significant consequences in the years to come, necessitating a proactive approach to address these challenges.
The MEK’s call for Western states to follow the U.S.’s 2019 designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization underscores the need for international cooperation in countering Iran’s malign activities. The presence of drones in recent conflicts, coupled with the regime’s support for proxy groups and the aggressive development of new drone technologies, raises broader concerns about the potential for these weapons to be used in future destabilizing actions. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort to monitor and respond to Iran’s drone activities effectively.
