Iran Could Deploy Chemical Weapons Via Missiles or Drones: What Israeli Intelligence Says | Today’s news
The information was also shared with officials in the Gulf countries. However, several regional officials questioned the credibility of the claims, suspecting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was attempting to persuade the United States and its partners to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.
Israel sees the threat of chemical weapons as more pressing than its nuclear ambitions
The use of drones to deliver chemical weapons is also considered a possibility.
Gulf countries dispute Israeli intelligence claims
Israel has also informed the Gulf countries of its assessment that Iran is working to put chemical weapons into service. However, regional governments reportedly expressed doubts about the claims.
A regional official told the NYT that Israeli officials presented their assessments without sharing supporting evidence. Gulf governments found the claims unconvincing and questioned whether Iran was actually making plans to deploy chemical weapons.
Questions about Iran’s ability to deploy chemical weapons
According to the NYT, weapons experts and US officials believe that mounting a chemical weapon on a ballistic missile may not be particularly difficult. However, ensuring that the weapon effectively disperses the chemical agent presents a much greater technical challenge.
Smuggling a chemical bomb across an international border would also pose significant operational difficulties.
The report noted that US intelligence agencies had been monitoring Iran’s chemical weapons activities for years. Chemical weapons are prohibited by international law.
Netanyahu faces political pressure amid uncertainty over Iran war
Intelligence revelations come as United States
Netanyahu also faces domestic political uncertainty after failing to secure a clear path to forming a government in last week’s election.
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