U.S. forces were prepared for a possible campaign following the midterm elections, while officials disputed Israeli claims that Iran could use chemical weapons, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
The disagreement concerned both the evidence behind the assessment and the policy Israel might be trying to influence. Some U.S. national security officials regarded the claim as an argument by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for renewed military operations. Others said the possibility of Iranian attacks on U.S. interests justified taking it seriously, the Times reported.
A regional official told the Times that Israeli representatives had shared their assessments with Gulf governments but presented no evidence that Tehran was preparing chemical weapons for use. The official said Gulf governments were unconvinced.
U.S. intelligence agencies have tracked Iran’s chemical-weapons capabilities for years, though officials differ over whether Iran could use such weapons effectively or would choose to do so, the report said. Iran has publicly rejected possessing chemical weapons. In the past, Tehran called the allegations psychological warfare by Israel and Netanyahu, according to the Times.
Iranian experts cited by the Times said chemical weapons used during the Iran-Iraq war killed thousands and left about 100,000 Iranian veterans and civilians with lasting health problems.
The debate is unfolding alongside diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to avert renewed fighting, the report said. Some analysts cited by the Times said Netanyahu might use a security emergency to bring opposition leaders into a coalition after failing to secure a clear path to government.
Netanyahu has previously said he discussed removing Iran’s government with Trump.
The Times described the military option as a brief campaign after the election, contingent on Trump’s authorization.
