Israel has shared intelligence with the United States suggesting that Iran is considering using chemical
By Bernard Moerdler,
Israel has shared intelligence with the United States suggesting that Iran is considering using chemical weapons against its adversaries, according to The New York Times, citing American and regional officials.
Israeli intelligence agencies reportedly believe Iran is rapidly developing the capability to deploy chemical weapons through ballistic missiles or smuggle them into other countries for attacks. The intelligence has also been shared with several Gulf states.
American officials are divided over the assessment. Some believe the threat warrants serious attention, particularly amid recent intelligence warnings about Iranian preparations to attack American interests. Others suspect the Israeli government is using the chemical weapons threat to pressure the Trump administration into resuming major military operations against Iran.
Officials in Gulf countries also expressed skepticism. One regional official told the Times that Israel had presented its assessments without providing supporting evidence. Some American officials reportedly compared the situation to the flawed intelligence assessments concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction before the 2003 invasion.
Israeli journalist Barak Betesh separately said he understands that intelligence was indeed shared, but that the information was not as concrete as the Times report might suggest.
BNN previously investigated the possibility of Iranian chemical and biological warheads in February. In a February 24 interview with BNN, Brig. Gen. (res.) Amir Avivi, founder of the Israel Defense and Security Forum, warned that Iran might already possess operational chemical and biological missile warheads.
"The threat is not theoretical," Avivi told BNN. "There is a good chance they already have it and this is something that we believe may be operational."
At the time, BNN questioned why Israel's Home Front Command had not distributed gas masks or updated public guidance for chemical attacks. The IDF International Press Desk responded directly to BNN, stating: "There has been no change in the Home Front Command's directives."
The new intelligence reported by the Times does not establish that Iran currently possesses operational chemical warheads or has decided to use them. The report also highlights technical challenges in effectively dispersing chemical agents through missile warheads.
Topics: Iran, Missile Defense & Alerts, IDF
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.