Israel Shares New Intel on Iran's Chemical Weapons Threat with US

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Israel has shared new intelligence with the U.S. suggesting Iran may be considering chemical weapons use, a threat Israeli officials deem more urgent than Iran's nuclear program. While some U.S. officials are concerned, others are skeptical, viewing it as a potential Israeli ploy for renewed military action. Gulf states also expressed reservations about the intelligence. Domestically, Israel has not announced special preparations for a chemical weapons attack, despite ongoing drills.

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Israel shared new intelligence with the U.S. about Iran potentially using chemical weapons.
Israeli officials consider the chemical weapons threat more urgent than Iran's nuclear program.
U.S. officials are divided, with some alarmed and others skeptical of the intelligence.
Gulf states also expressed reservations, suggesting Israel seeks renewed regional military action.
Israel has not publicly announced special preparations for a chemical weapons attack.
The IDF declined to comment on the intelligence or potential preparations.

Israel has provided the United States with new intelligence indicating that Iran is considering the use of chemical weapons against its adversaries, according to a report by The New York Times. Anonymous American officials told the newspaper that the information was received with concern and alarm by some U.S. officials, and with deep skepticism by others. In recent weeks, Israeli representatives presented this chemical weapons threat as more urgent and immediate than Iran's nuclear threat during discussions with American intelligence agencies and officials in Washington. Israel also shared some of this information with officials in Gulf states, but these warnings were met with reservations there as well. Some Gulf officials doubted that Iran was advancing such operational plans, suggesting Jerusalem was trying to persuade Washington and its partners to resume intense combat in the region.

The skepticism towards the Israeli intelligence reflects divisions within the American administration. Some Washington officials believe this is another element of the Netanyahu government's pressure campaign to convince the Trump administration to renew extensive military actions against Iran. Conversely, other U.S. officials warn that given recent warnings about Iranian preparations to strike American targets and interests, the intelligence should not be dismissed and the threats must be taken with full seriousness.

Meanwhile, despite Israel presenting the chemical weapons threat as urgent to its allies, no special preparations for such a scenario are evident within Israel itself. The Home Front Command is conducting drills nationwide this week, but defense against chemical weapons is not a central component. According to two anonymous Home Front Command officials, the command has not distributed reminders or updated safety guidelines on the matter to its officers or the general public. The IDF declined to comment on the matter.