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WorldQuiet 5d · day 5

Israel warns US and Gulf states Iran may use chemical weapons; officials split

NYT reporting on Israeli intelligence about an Iranian chemical-weapons threat meets alarm from some US officials and deep skepticism from others, and doubt from Gulf states.

newest coverage 4d agosummary written 4d ago6 pieces316 likes & upvotes87 comments XNewswires

What to know

  • Israel told the US it believes Iran is rapidly advancing technology to mount chemical weapons on missiles or smuggle them for an attack, and framed this as more urgent than Iran's nuclear program.
  • US officials are split: some are alarmed, others view the intelligence as part of an Israeli pressure campaign to push Washington back into major strikes on Iran.
  • Gulf states that were briefed found the claims unconvincing and lacking supporting evidence; Iran denies having chemical weapons.
  • Israel's Home Front Command drills this week do not emphasize chemical-weapons response even as the warnings circulate, and the US reportedly maintains forces for a possible strike after the midterms.

Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime MinisterDonald TrumpDonald Trump US PresidentIsraeli intelligence officials Source of the chemical weapons warningGulf officials Regional partners briefed on the intelligenceIran Subject of the intelligence claims

Israel warns US and Gulf states Iran may use chemical weapons; officials split
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How it unfolded 5 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 2 pieces in two hours at Nov 3, 12 PM; 6 pieces over 5 days (4 articles · 2 posts) Nov 3, 12 PM — 2 pieces · 2 posts — X 2Nov 3, 2 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Nov 3, 4 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Nov 3, 6 PM — quietNov 3, 8 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Nov 4, 12 AM — quietNov 4, 2 AM — quietNov 4, 4 AM — quietNov 4, 6 AM — quietNov 4, 8 AM — quietNov 4, 10 AM — quietNov 4, 12 PM — quietNov 4, 2 PM — quietNov 4, 4 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 8 PM — quietNov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 12 AM — quietNov 5, 2 AM — quietNov 5, 4 AM — quietNov 5, 6 AM — quietNov 5, 8 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 12 PM — quietNov 5, 2 PM — quietNov 5, 4 PM — quietNov 5, 6 PM — quietNov 5, 8 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 12 AM — quietNov 6, 2 AM — quietNov 6, 4 AM — quietNov 6, 6 AM — quietNov 6, 8 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 12 PM — quietNov 6, 2 PM — quietNov 6, 4 PM — quietNov 6, 6 PM — quietNov 6, 8 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 8 AM — quietToday, 10 AM — quietToday, 12 PM — quiet 1–5
Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 1:10 PM ET
  1. 5

    Jerusalem Post notes Home Front Command drills skip chemical prep

    Despite the warnings, Israel's Home Front Command exercises this week do not make chemical-weapons response a central component, and officers have not received new protective-instruction reminders, according to two unit officials.

    1. 2 outlets Israel warns US that Iran may use chemical weapons, but Washington questions intelligence - report

      first by Jerusalem Post, 4d ago · also ZeroHedge

      1 more headline
  2. 4

    Boston Globe details the split and Netanyahu's political stakes

    A fuller rendering of the NYT report notes some US officials see the intelligence as part of a Netanyahu-led pressure campaign to restart major combat, cites decades of US claims about Iranian chemical capability, and notes Netanyahu's post-election political fight.

    “Iran "likely aims" to continue its research and development of chemical weapons.”
    — US annual unclassified intelligence assessment
    1. 1 outlet Israeli claims of Iranian chemical weapons divide US officials

      first by Boston Globe, 4d ago

  3. 3

    ReportUS said to plan strike on Iran day after midterms

    Times of Israel's write-up of the NYT story adds that the US reportedly has plans to strike Iran the day after the midterm elections, and that Gulf countries view the Israeli assessment as 'unserious.'

    “US said to have plans to strike day after midterms…”
    — Times of Israel
    1. 1 outlet Israel said to tell skeptical US, Gulf countries that Iran may use chemical weapons

      first by Times of Israel, 4d ago

  4. 2

    US and Gulf officials voice skepticism of the intelligence

    Officials cited in the NYT report describe the intelligence being met with alarm by some and deep skepticism by others; Gulf officials who were briefed also question the claims.

    “Israel has claimed that Iran is weighing chemical weapons use, which has drawn skepticism from US and Gulf officials, per the New York Times.”
    — @unusual_whales

    • BREAKING: Israel has claimed that Iran is weighing chemical weapons use, which has drawn skepticism from US and Gulf officials, per the New York Times.

      @unusual_whalesX4d ago61▲view on X ↗
  5. 1

    NYTIsrael tells US Iran is weighing chemical weapons

    The New York Times reports Israel shared intelligence with the US asserting Iran is considering chemical weapons against adversaries, citing American and regional officials; the news spreads quickly on social media.

    “Israel has informed the US that their intelligence indicates that Iran is "weighing" the use of chemical weapons, per NY Times.”
    — @KobeissiLetter

    • BREAKING: Israel has informed the US that their intelligence indicates that Iran is "weighing" the use of chemical weapons, per NY Times. Israeli intel has reportedly been met with "alarm and skepticism" by US officials. Gulf officials have also questioned the Israeli

      @KobeissiLetterX5d ago255▲view on X ↗

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