Tel Aviv, May 13 (RHC)-- 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. Eilam, who headed the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) from 1976-1985, said: “Netanyahu and other politicians have struck terrible, unnecessary fear into the hearts of the Israeli public.”

He said that “Netanyahu is using the Iranian threat to achieve a variety of political objectives,” adding 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.”

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