Israel Warns US of Possible Iranian Use of Chemical Weapons
The New York Times reports that the warnings have divided US assessments, amid concerns that they may form part of a political effort by Netanyahu’s government to persuade Donald Trump to resume the war against Iran.
Israeli intelligence suggesting that Iran could use chemical weapons against its adversaries has raised concerns among US and regional officials that the confrontation could enter a more dangerous phase. The warnings come amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington and the possibility of renewed military operations, according to The New York Times.
In a report published Tuesday, the newspaper cited US and regional officials as saying that Israel had shared information with Washington over the past two weeks indicating that Iran was considering the possible use of chemical weapons. Israel presented that possibility as a threat requiring greater attention than Tehran’s efforts to develop its nuclear capabilities.
The Israeli briefing divided US assessments. Some officials treated the intelligence as a security warning warranting caution. Others believed it could be part of a political effort by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to persuade President Donald Trump to resume large-scale military operations against Iran, following months of confrontation that had failed to produce a lasting settlement.
Those reservations extend beyond the United States. Israel also shared some of the same information with officials in Gulf countries, several of whom questioned its implications. They suggested that overstating the chemical weapons threat could serve Tel Aviv’s efforts to steer Washington back towards military escalation rather than continued diplomatic engagement.
These developments carry particular significance amid fears of a wider use of unconventional weapons in the region, whether chemical weapons or nuclear escalation. A conflict reaching that level would affect more than the parties directly involved. It could expose neighbouring countries to extensive risks, threaten civilians, critical infrastructure and the environment, and potentially broaden military intervention.
The latest allegations revive longstanding suspicions surrounding Iran’s chemical weapons programme. In 2003, Tehran acknowledged developing capabilities in this field during the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s, but said it had subsequently abandoned them. Annual US intelligence assessments in recent years have nevertheless suggested that Iranian research related to chemical weapons development may be continuing. Iranian authorities deny possessing such weapons and describe the allegations as part of an Israeli political and media campaign.
The developments come as relations between Tehran and Washington remain caught between efforts to explore a possible agreement and preparations for renewed confrontation. According to the newspaper, the debate over the new intelligence highlights the sensitivity of the moment, particularly as the risk of miscalculation grows and could lead to military decisions whose consequences would be difficult to contain.
In another sign of mounting concern, Iranian television broadcast guidance Tuesday on responding to a nuclear explosion. The instructions included measures to protect against the blast wave and radioactive contamination, alongside advice to shelter inside buildings for at least twenty-four hours. Their broadcast reflects anxiety about escalation scenarios extending beyond conventional warfare, although it does not, in itself, demonstrate that any decision to use nuclear weapons has been made.
Israel’s domestic political situation adds another dimension. Netanyahu faces difficulties finding a path to forming a government after the latest elections. According to analysts cited by the newspaper, heightened security threats could allow him to reshape the political landscape and pressure opposition leaders to join a governing coalition in the name of confronting the Iranian threat.
