Netanyahu Claims Iran Was Near Nuclear Bomb, Critics Dispute

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Likud party event ahead of upcoming elections, asserted that Iran was on the verge of producing atomic bombs capable of destroying Israel. He stated that without timely action, Israel might not exist today. This marks a more dramatic formulation than previously presented by Israeli officials or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which indicated Iran possessed enriched material but lacked detonation capabilities.

Opposition figures criticized Netanyahu's remarks, with one stating he was "creating reality to scare citizens." Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett dismissed the claim as "nonsense," recalling Netanyahu's past statements that Iran had not yet reached the stage of nuclear weapons. The article notes that Netanyahu's narrative of saving Israel from annihilation omits the significant human and economic costs of the ongoing conflict, including the events of October 7th, which were not mentioned at the event.

The war has resulted in the deaths of 29 Israelis and substantial material damage, with over 9,000 claims filed for compensation in the first ten days alone. Economically, Israel's GDP saw a 3.3% annual decline in the first quarter of 2026, largely attributed to the conflict with Iran and Hezbollah, impacting all sectors of the economy.

The Likud event, coinciding with Rosh Hashanah and the party's registration for the October 27th elections, heavily featured Netanyahu as a heroic figure. Videos presented him as the sole savior of Israel, crediting him with eliminating terrorist leaders and striking Iran and Lebanon, while downplaying the contributions of other ministers and completely omitting the October 7th attacks.

Netanyahu's campaign released talking points emphasizing a choice between fighting and surrendering, claiming the party had "changed the face of the Middle East" and "saved the State of Israel from destruction."