Senior Official: No Iranian Chemical Threat to Israel Right Now

A senior Israeli security official clarified Wednesday morning that Iran does not currently possess chemical weapons capabilities that pose a threat to Israel. Speaking to Ynet, the official stated, “At this point in time, Iran does not have chemical capabilities that threaten the State of Israel.”

The remarks followed a report in The New York Times claiming that Israel had shared intelligence with the United States suggesting Tehran was considering the use of chemical weapons against its adversaries.

According to the report, the Israeli intelligence findings prompted differing reactions among American officials who reviewed them. While some accepted the assessments, others expressed “deep skepticism” about the evidence. The Israeli security official emphasized that the issue remains under continuous surveillance. “We are monitoring the threat, and if necessary, we will know how to respond and inform the public,” the official said.

The report suggests that intelligence agencies may have detected developments related to Iran’s chemical weapons capabilities, although these are not currently considered an immediate threat to Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli and American military forces have reportedly developed targeted plans for renewed strikes against Iran following the U.S. midterm elections held over the past 24 hours.

Trump Rules Out Immediate Strike on Iran

Despite reports of military preparations, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated overnight that he had no immediate plans to launch another attack against Iran. In a telephone interview with the Financial Times, Trump stated, “I have no immediate plan to attack Iran. Our situation with Tehran is excellent — it looks like we're getting everything we want.”

Later, following the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections, Trump acknowledged that the conflict with Iran had contributed to the electoral setback. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, he said, “Iran was part of the loss. But I did the right thing. I would do it again.”

The midterm election results will not immediately alter the balance of power in Washington, as the newly elected Congress is not scheduled to take office until January 3, 2027. Until then, Trump retains a significant window in which to act under the current congressional composition.

Moreover, the president’s extensive authority over foreign policy and national security could allow him to pursue military action even after control of Congress changes hands, should he decide to resume hostilities against Iran.