Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of fabricating Iran nuclear threat
Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eisenkot on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fabricating claims that Iran possesses nuclear weapons in order to frighten the Israeli public, as the opposition leader formally announced his bid to challenge the premier in upcoming elections.
Former Israeli military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fabricating claims that Iran possesses nuclear weapons, saying the premier is frightening the Israeli public for political purposes. Speaking at a conference in central Israel, Eisenkot dismissed Netanyahu's recent statements on Iran's nuclear capabilities as false, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
"Netanyahu said repugnant things. Iran had no nuclear bombs whatsoever. He is fabricating reality to frighten the Israeli public," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at stoking fear ahead of elections.
Netanyahu claims he 'entered Iran twice' to prevent annihilation
Eisenkot was responding to comments Netanyahu made Tuesday in an interview with Israel's Channel 14, during which the prime minister said: "I entered Iran twice to save us from annihilation by atomic bombs that were already in their hands." The right-wing channel aired the interview as Israel prepares for general elections expected in the coming months.
Eisenkot announces PM bid amid nuclear dispute
Eisenkot, who served as Israel's military chief of staff from 2015 to 2019 and now heads the Yashar party, announced Tuesday that he intends to run for prime minister. His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with the US and Israel having launched strikes targeting Iranian military installations in February 2026 — confrontations that expanded into direct exchanges of fire and a subsequent large-scale Israeli operation in June 2025.
Tehran maintains its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons, a position supported by international monitors who have produced no reports confirming Iran possesses an atomic arsenal. Israel — widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern state with nuclear weapons — has never officially acknowledged its arsenal, and its facilities remain outside International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
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