WANA (Mar 23) – In recent days, Iranian social media and news outlets have been abuzz with a controversial claim made by the Pentagon spokesperson regarding secret plasma weapon tests in Iran.

 

The U.S. official alleged that “Iran is developing plasma weapon technology” and emphasized that “we do not rule out the existence of such technology.” He added that this claim is based on NASA’s satellite evidence.

 

However, no credible images or documents have been released by NASA or the Pentagon to substantiate this assertion. This has led military and political experts to view the claim with skepticism, interpreting it as part of a psychological warfare strategy and political pressure campaign against Iran.

 

What Is a Plasma Weapon and Why Is It Difficult to Achieve?

Plasma weapons utilize plasma—the fourth state of matter, consisting of ionized gas at extremely high temperatures—as a means of destruction. This technology can generally be employed in three forms:

 

  • Projectile Weapons: Plasma projectiles capable of disintegrating targets.
  • Disruptive Field Weapons: Intense electromagnetic waves that disable or burn out electronic equipment over a large area.
  • Thermal Weapons: A type of plasma-based technology that can melt or vaporize objects.

 

However, the practical development of these weapons is highly challenging because:

  • They require massive energy sources.
  • Controlling and directing plasma is complex due to its extreme instability.
  • The storage and transport of such weapons are still in the research phase.

 

Even militarily advanced countries that are not affected by severe sanctions or lack of access to advanced technology, such as the United States, Russia, and China, have not yet reached the stage of operational deployment of these weapons.

 

Some defense technology experts have also responded to these claims, stating: “Plasma, for military use, requires a level of control and stability that is still in the research phase. Iran may have made progress in plasma research, but operationalizing plasma weapons is a completely different matter.”

 

On the other hand, some analysts see this claim as groundwork for increasing pressure on Iran. At a time when tensions over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs are escalating, such allegations could serve as a pretext for intensifying sanctions or even justifying military actions.

 

Does Iran Have the Capability to Develop Plasma Weapons?

Despite severe sanctions, Iran holds a significant position in the field of plasma physics. In 2018, Iran ranked 16th globally in this field and first among Muslim countries.

 

Additionally, Iran’s advancements in missile technologies and nuclear fusion reactors (which operate based on plasma) indicate the presence of indigenous knowledge in this domain.

 

However, no credible evidence has been presented confirming the operational production of plasma weapons in Iran. Nevertheless, Iranian military officials have repeatedly emphasized:

 

“Iran’s military power should not be underestimated, and a large portion of its defense capabilities remains undisclosed.”

 

Why the United States has made such a claim at this particular time is a key question that may be linked to escalating geopolitical tensions and efforts to exert greater pressure on Iran.

 

Now, it remains to be seen whether Iranian officials will respond to this claim or if this matter will share the fate of other controversial U.S. allegations.