Israel has shared intelligence with the United States alleging that Iran is preparing to use chemical weapons against its adversaries, according to a report published Tuesday by The New York Times, citing US and regional officials.
However, US officials are divided over the Israeli intelligence, with some members of the Trump administration questioning the credibility of the claims and Israel’s motives, the report said.
The intelligence has raised concerns among some American officials, while others remain skeptical about whether Tehran is actually preparing to deploy chemical weapons.
According to the report, some US officials have compared the latest assessments with flawed intelligence claims about weapons of mass destruction that preceded the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.
The allegations have also fueled suspicions among some administration officials that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be seeking to persuade President Donald Trump to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.
The intelligence dispute comes as Washington weighs the risks of further escalation with Tehran, with any potential military response carrying significant consequences for regional security.
The differing assessments highlight the challenges facing US policymakers as they attempt to distinguish credible intelligence warnings from claims that could influence decisions on military action.
