Netanyahu: Iran already had nuclear bombs. Eisenkot: He is inventing reality to frighten
In a TV interview, the Prime Minister claimed that "Iran already had atomic bombs, and if necessary we will strike them a third time." Eisenkot: "They had no nuclear bombs at all."
Assessment
The exchange reveals a fundamental split within the Israeli security establishment about the actual stage of Iran's nuclear program. The prime minister claims a past threshold was reached, while a former chief of staff flatly denies it, accusing him of fabricating reality. This dispute erodes public trust in official intelligence assessments and makes it harder to build a consensus on military action. Next watch for whether other security officials corroborate or refute either version.