Israeli Opposition Leader Eisenkot Calls Netanyahu "Delusional" Over Iran Nuclear Weapons Claims

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "a delusional person", accusing him of knowingly making false claims about Iran possessing nuclear weapons just days before Israel's October 27 election.

Speaking to i24NEWS in an interview conducted around October 23-24, Eisenkot challenged Netanyahu's repeated assertions that Israeli military operations had prevented Iran from using nuclear weapons.

"Netanyahu is a delusional person. He knows that Iran didn't have nuclear weapons," Eisenkot said.

The remarks, which circulated widely on social media on October 26, have intensified a dispute between two former members of Israel's wartime leadership over the extent of Iran's nuclear capabilities and the objectives of Israeli military operations.

Eisenkot Accuses Netanyahu Of Fabricating Nuclear Threat

Eisenkot, who served as Israel Defense Forces chief of staff from 2015 to 2019 and subsequently joined Netanyahu's war cabinet, has repeatedly disputed the prime minister's account of Iran's nuclear development.

The disagreement dates back to early July, when Netanyahu told Channel 14 that he had authorized two attacks against Iran to prevent nuclear destruction, claiming Tehran had already acquired atomic bombs.

Eisenkot rejected that account, citing his knowledge of Israeli intelligence assessments.

"Iran never obtained nuclear weapons. I'm well aware of all the intelligence. Netanyahu is inventing a reality, making up threats, and that's his way to scare the Israeli public," he said.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett also challenged Netanyahu's assertions. A person familiar with the intelligence assessments separately told Haaretz that the prime minister's account was a fabrication.

No publicly disclosed assessment by U.S. or Israeli authorities, or the International Atomic Energy Agency, had established that Iran possessed operational nuclear weapons. Concerns instead focused on Tehran's advanced uranium enrichment activities and its capacity to develop a weapon.

Eisenkot reiterated during his latest interview that Netanyahu's account contradicted the available facts, arguing there was no justification for misleading the public.

Nuclear Threat Becomes Central Election Issue

Netanyahu has continued to present Iran's nuclear activities as a central security concern in the final days of the election campaign.

Speaking on October 25, he argued that the opposition would be incapable of completing the military objectives pursued against Tehran and maintained that Iran had resumed its nuclear activities.

He claimed Israeli operations had accomplished 90% of their intended objectives, leaving the remaining 10% unfinished.

Netanyahu also argued that an administration led by Eisenkot and supported by other opposition figures would fail to address Iran's nuclear program.

His campaign rhetoric intensified around October 25, when he published an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv alongside a warning about a possible "second Holocaust".

Eisenkot condemned the imagery as an attempt to generate public anxiety, accusing Netanyahu of resorting to fear-based political messaging.

He also argued that the prime minister had failed to accomplish the objectives he had established for Israel's military campaign against Iran.

Eisenkot Rejects Regime Change As War Objective

Despite their dispute over Iran's nuclear capabilities, Eisenkot and Netanyahu both support military action to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

On October 13, Eisenkot argued that Israel should consider every available measure, including strikes against Iran, to prevent it from acquiring a military nuclear capability.

His position on October 26 further clarified the distinction between preventing Iran's military capabilities and pursuing the collapse of its government.

"Making regime change an objective of war is not the right thing to do. Destroying the Iranian nuclear program, the missile program, and the proxies — that is the right thing to do. And I know how to do that," Eisenkot said.

His remarks indicate that the disagreement concerns the strategic objectives and public justification of military action rather than whether Israel should use force against Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

Trump And Coalition Politics Enter Election Debate

Eisenkot has also sought to establish a distinction between U.S. involvement in Israeli security and Washington's role in the country's domestic political decisions.

On October 26, he expressed appreciation for President Donald Trump's contribution to Israeli security while emphasizing that Israeli voters alone would determine the composition of their next government.

The comments came as both Netanyahu and Eisenkot prepared for an election in which neither political bloc appeared assured of a parliamentary majority, according to polling.

Netanyahu has been advocating a unity government involving Eisenkot, with a possible arrangement to share the premiership.

The political landscape shifted further on October 19 when Benny Gantz withdrew from the election.

Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, is now the main opposition candidate for prime minister.

Beyond Iran, the two politicians remain divided over domestic matters, including an inquiry into the events of October 7.

Their dispute over Tehran has nevertheless become a prominent feature of the campaign's closing days, placing Netanyahu's account of Iran's nuclear capabilities under renewed scrutiny ahead of Tuesday's vote.