Full Breakdown
Netanyahu Says Iran Holds Chemical Weapons, Claims Joint Strikes Have Crippled Tehran’s Threat
7/10/2026, 6:16:50 PM
Core Claim and Recent Statements
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted in a televised interview with *Newsmax* that Iran “definitely” possesses chemical weapons and that the regime would “not care a whit about murdering hundreds of thousands of Americans if they could.” He added that Iran’s capacity to produce nuclear weapons was largely eliminated by the February 2025 “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury” conducted with the United States, and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been “tottering” after extensive Israeli-U.S. strikes.
Background & Context
- Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury (Feb 2025): A joint Israeli-U.S. campaign aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile infrastructure.
- June 2025 “Rising Lion” strikes: Follow-up attacks that targeted senior Iranian officials and additional nuclear-related sites.
- June 15 2025: Iranian flags flew over a burning Sharan oil depot in Tehran after Israeli air raids, illustrating the intensity of the conflict.
Netanyahu has repeatedly linked these operations to preventing an “immediate annihilation” of Israel and the broader Western world.
Key Figures & Groups
- Benjamin Netanyahu: Prime Minister of Israel, primary spokesperson for the claims.
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): The paramilitary force Netanyahu says has lost “a lot of their money machines.”
- U.S. Department of Defense / Central Command: Partnered with Israel in the 2025 operations; Central Command’s public affairs office was cited when Netanyahu dismissed the June 17 2026 U.S.–Iran Memorandum of Understanding as untrustworthy.
- U.S. State Department: Previously noted Iran’s non-compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, citing alleged development of pharmaceutical-based agents for offensive use.
Data & Statistics
- Israeli pilots flew “thousands of sorties” and executed “thousands of strikes” during the 2025 campaigns.
- The Israel Defense Forces reported more than 3,500 air-crew rescues of wounded personnel in recent weeks.
- Israel approved an additional 350 billion shekels (? $118 billion) for defense over the next decade, with a large share earmarked for the Air Force and domestic munitions production.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu framed the chemical-weapon allegation as evidence that a regime willing to kill its own citizens cannot be trusted with weapons of mass destruction. He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear capability was “pushed back considerably” by the 2025 strikes and warned that “the war is not yet over,” urging continued vigilance in Iran, Lebanon, and other regional theaters. He also reiterated that, “with or without a deal, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” echoing former President Donald Trump’s stance on preventing a nuclear-armed Tehran.
Criticism & Opposition
No source provided independent verification of the chemical-weapon claim. Analysts and international monitoring bodies have not publicly confirmed the existence of Iranian chemical arsenals, leaving the allegation uncorroborated beyond Netanyahu’s statements.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Evidence Gap: Netanyahu offered no details on the type, quantity, or deployment status of the alleged chemical weapons.
- U.S. Position: While the State Department cites Iran’s non-compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, it stops short of confirming an active chemical-weapon stockpile.
- Public Disclosure: No official Iranian or third-party source has confirmed or denied the presence of chemical weapons, creating a factual uncertainty around the core allegation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That I can tell you. And that is another threat that they pose.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- “not care a whit about murdering hundreds of thousands of Americans if they could.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- “That’s why President Trump decided to do this. He does what he thinks is good for the United States, and in this case, I would say it was essential for the security of the United States.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- “The Iranian terrorist regime has suffered a very severe blow - and our policy is clear: with or without a deal - Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- “Deal or no deal—I’ve pledged, as President Trump has pledged, that Iran, under no circumstances, would have nuclear weapons.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
Why It Matters
Netanyahu’s assertions heighten diplomatic tensions between Israel, the United States, and Iran, potentially influencing future negotiations on the June 17 2026 U.S.–Iran Memorandum of Understanding. The claim of Iranian chemical weapons adds a new dimension to regional security assessments, prompting U.S. and allied policymakers to consider broader non-proliferation strategies beyond the nuclear focus. Continued Israeli-U.S. military readiness, as reflected in the expanded defense budget and high alert status of the Israeli Air Force, signals an enduring commitment to countering what Israel describes as an existential threat from Tehran.