VFI News Iran Reportedly Developing Chemical and Biological Warheads for Ballistic Missiles

As we close out 2025 and step into 2026, please take a moment to watch this special greeting from Vision for Israel, sharing heartfelt gratitude for your friendship and partnership, and offering hope-filled prayer for the days ahead. May the Lord cover Israel, your family, and every community represented in VFI News with peace, protection, and renewed strength for the new year.

A single Israeli decision ignites regional fury and global headlines. What Israel’s recognition of Somaliland means for Iran, Gaza, and Middle East power politics.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has sent shockwaves through the Middle East—triggering outrage from Arab nations and an emergency UN Security Council meeting. In this week’s VFI News from Israel, Barry Segal explains why this bold diplomatic move matters and how it could reshape regional security, including cooperation against the Houthis.

Barry also breaks down the latest developments following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including warnings to Hamas, growing tensions with Iran, Hezbollah threats, and what may come next in Gaza. Plus, a major shift in Aliyah to Israel as rising antisemitism in Western countries drives record numbers of Jews to immigrate—while Israel prepares for a potential surge in new arrivals.

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Military sources say the IRGC is advancing chemical and biological warheads for ballistic missiles while adapting missiles and command-and-control to carry them. Launchers have reportedly been shifted east to harden capability and complicate detection. The pace is described as accelerating amid a tense regional climate.

The report places this work alongside year-end consultations between Jerusalem and Washington focused on Iran’s buildup. Israeli assessments track stockpiles and launcher counts after earlier losses, indicating a determined rebuild and modernization. The indicators suggest procurement, dispersal, and doctrine are evolving together.

The implication is coordinated signaling: progress without explicit admissions that could trigger immediate retaliation. The coming months may bring tighter monitoring, firmer allied red lines, and sharper debates over deterrence versus preemption—aimed at preventing mass-casualty escalation.

(INN/VFI News)

“Lord, place a shield over Israel and her neighbors against any use of weapons of mass destruction. Grant insight to decision-makers, unity among allies, and confusion to those who plot terror. Protect civilians across the region, and let de-escalation, justice, and true peace take root in our generation.”

On Wednesday, December 31, protesters in Hamedan set an IRGC headquarters ablaze as unrest deepened. One Basij member was killed, and others were injured amid spreading clashes. Inflation, a collapsing rial, and public anger formed the backdrop as calls online urged continued mobilization.

Competing narratives emerged immediately. State outlets stressed vandalism and assaults on security forces; opposition channels amplified images of crowds and flames. A Farsi-language message from a Mossad-branded X account calling people to the streets underscored an information fight where each arrest or casualty carries symbolic weight.

Momentum now hinges on participation and restraint. Walkouts and strikes could widen pressure while minimizing direct confrontation. If fear regains the upper hand, the regime may reassert control; if not, 2026 could open with protests testing the limits of state deterrence.

(INN/VFI News)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged a nationwide strike as demonstrations reached a fourth day on Wednesday, December 31. His message sought to convert spontaneous marches into synchronized civil pressure. Strikes were framed as safer leverage than head-on confrontations with security forces.

Timing and coordination dominated the appeal. Shuttered shops and silent factory floors can erode the appearance of control and spread participation beyond core activists. Supporters see disciplined, nonviolent disruption; skeptics fear reprisals and question feasibility.

The information sphere moves fast: posts on X or Telegram become headlines within minutes. If strikes materialize and hold, the movement enters a new phase; if they fade, fear returns and the regime waits dissent out. The next few days will reveal which path prevails.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness… to let the oppressed go free?” – Isaiah 58:6

The IDF’s year-end summary lists about 20,900 targets struck through Monday, December 15, alongside roughly 430 operations and 50 naval strikes. In the south, nearly 19,530 targets were hit and thousands of terrorist infrastructures dismantled, including the elimination of senior operatives such as Mohammed Sinwar. In the north, hundreds of targets and launchers were destroyed as cross-border threats persisted.

Beyond Israel’s borders, early details highlight extensive activity in the Iranian arena under “Rising Lion,” with around 1,500 targets and senior regime and military figures reportedly struck. The Yemen sector saw operations against Houthi leadership and infrastructure, including a dozen major strikes and participation by about 180 fighter jets—signaling reach and precision.

Home-front and personnel figures complete the picture: shelters deployed and renovated, sirens installed, and a hotline handling over a million calls. The summary notes casualties among soldiers, large-scale evacuations, and intensive training and sorties—evidence of a military sustaining pressure across multiple fronts.

(INN/VFI News)

“God of Israel, watch over our soldiers, medics, and first responders. Comfort bereaved families, heal the wounded in body and soul, and grant our leaders wisdom to shorten the days of war while protecting the innocent on every side.”

Explore the hidden connections between East and West—with this unique musical experience that spans across Israel and the nations, while blending Middle Eastern and country-western musical styles as well.

A meeting in Florida on Monday, December 29, brought Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump together to discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts and Iran’s trajectory. The lede highlighted a pledge to “knock them down” if Iran’s weapons development continues. The message aimed to project deterrence while hostage talks remained unresolved.

Israel emphasized the convergence of fronts—Gaza, Lebanon, Iran—into one strategic picture. Washington’s tone mixed pressure with pragmatism: keep channels open while warning that certain red lines, especially on missiles and unconventional capabilities, would invite a different response. Public signals were firm, timelines unspecific.

Politics color every calculation at year’s end. Both governments balance domestic pressures and international expectations. The bilateral relationship—supportive yet conditional—will shape decisions as 2026 opens.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7

A Maccabi Healthcare Services survey found that 32% of Israelis say they need professional mental-health support after two years of war and trauma. Among IDF conscripts and reservists, 39% report needing help, with concerns about depression and widespread sleep difficulty. The sample combines 1,100 adults with anonymized records from roughly 2.7 million members.

Physical and mental indicators diverge. Sixty-two percent rate their physical health as very good or excellent, yet mental health markers lag. Current smokers reported a 30% increase in consumption, even as heavy use of Maccabi’s UP fitness app showed millions of workouts—evidence of coping amid strain.

The findings raise capacity questions for clinics, telehealth, and crisis lines. Care for soldiers and reservists needs trauma-aware responses and family support. The tone is realistic, not despairing: needs are high, and systems must stretch to meet them.

(TOI/VFI News)

“Father, draw near to the brokenhearted in Israel. Strengthen families, caregivers, and professionals serving those in pain. Grant rest to the weary, restore minds and bodies, and surround our soldiers and civilians with Your peace that surpasses understanding.”

In 2025, Israel’s population growth reportedly dipped below 1%, the lowest since statehood. The study’s opening lines cite three drivers: negative net migration, stagnating fertility, and an expected rise in deaths. The shift touches housing, education, labor markets, and long-term budgets.

Sequence matters as much as cause. Net migration turns negative when fewer arrive and more depart; births slow when families postpone or downsize; deaths rise as the age pyramid shifts. Planning models will need revision—some urgent, some gradual—as assumptions reset.

Beneath the numbers sits anxiety about identity, security, and opportunity. Slower growth prompts questions about brain drain and affordability. The year ahead will require stabilization and long-horizon investments that make family formation and immigration attractive again.

(JPost/VFI News)

Findings from the JPPI’s “Voice of the Jewish People” panel, published on Wednesday, December 31, rank Qatar as the second-greatest threat to Israel and the United States, behind Iran. The snapshot reflects concern over Doha’s regional influence and ties that shape diplomacy. Iran remains the primary danger in respondents’ eyes.

The year’s volatility frames the result: wars on Israel’s borders, stalled hostage negotiations, and rising antisemitism at home. Many now think about threats in layers—hard power, proxy networks, and narrative warfare that molds public opinion across platforms.

The panel is ongoing, not a one-off poll, providing leaders with sentiment trends. Taken at face value, the first cut shows a community focused on Iran while sharpening attention on other actors with complex, consequential roles.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.’” – Psalm 122:6

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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