World

Israel Warns U.S. of Iran’s Potential Chemical Weapon Deployment via Missiles and Drones

By Ravi Hari

Israel has informed the United States that Iran is reportedly accelerating the development of technology that could allow the country to deploy chemical weapons through missiles or smuggle them into Israel and other nations for attacks, according to a New York Times report. Israeli intelligence agencies have also briefed officials in Gulf countries on the same assessment. Some regional officials, however, have questioned the credibility of the claims, suggesting that the Israeli government may be attempting to persuade the U.S. and its partners to resume large‑scale military operations against Iran. The intelligence has sparked differing views among American officials about the seriousness of the alleged threat, especially as Washington and Tehran consider a diplomatic breakthrough while preparing for a possible resumption of hostilities. Israeli officials have portrayed the chemical weapons threat as more urgent than Iran’s nuclear ambitions in recent conversations with U.S. intelligence agencies and other officials over the past two weeks. They say Tehran is accelerating efforts to develop the technology required to deliver chemical agents via ballistic missiles or covert operations, and that drones could also be used to deliver chemical weapons. Some U.S. officials view the intelligence-sharing as part of a pressure campaign by Netanyahu’s government to convince President Donald Trump’s administration to return to major combat operations against Iran, while others believe the warnings deserve serious consideration given recent concerns about Iran’s preparations to attack American interests. Iran has publicly denied possessing chemical weapons and has dismissed such allegations as psychological warfare orchestrated by Israel and Netanyahu. Gulf governments, after being briefed, expressed doubts about the claims, noting that Israeli officials presented their assessments without sharing supporting evidence. Even among officials briefed on the latest intelligence, there are differing assessments about how quickly Iran could deploy chemical weapons and how effectively such weapons could be used. Weapons experts and U.S. officials believe that mounting a chemical weapon on a ballistic missile may not be particularly difficult, but ensuring that the weapon effectively disperses a chemical agent presents a much bigger technical challenge. Smuggling a chemical bomb across an international border would also involve significant operational difficulties. U.S. intelligence agencies have monitored Iran’s chemical weapons activities for years. Chemical weapons are prohibited under international law. The intelligence disclosures come as the United States and Iran remain in a prolonged standoff after eight months of war, with both sides exploring diplomatic possibilities while preparing for renewed military confrontation. Netanyahu is also facing domestic political uncertainty after failing to secure a clear path to forming a government in elections last week.