Netanyahu fear-mongering over Iran nuclear program

The former head of Israel’s nuclear program says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fear-mongering about Iran’s nuclear energy program for his own political gain.

In an interview with Israel’s Ynet, Israeli Brigadier General Uzi Eilam criticized Netanyahu’s policies on Iran and said he is making a fuss over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program for personal political advantages.

“Netanyahu and other politicians have struck terrible, unnecessary fear into the hearts of the Israeli public,” said Eilam, who headed the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) from 1976-1985.

“Netanyahu is using the Iranian threat to achieve a variety of political objectives,” he added.

He said that Israel should give the diplomatic process alongside sanctions a serious chance, warning that a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would “be the opening salvo in all-out war.”

“What good would bombing do?… Bombing would achieve the direct opposite of what we desired,” he added.

The remarks by the former Israeli insider come as Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China – plus Germany have been holding talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive deal on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

The two sides sealed an interim deal in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013, which went into force on January 20.

Under the Geneva deal, the six countries undertook to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for the Islamic Republic agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period.

The Israeli regime has on numerous occasions expressed outrage at the talks and the interim deal, working hard to sabotage them.