Israeli opposition leaders have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of falsely claiming that Iran had already possessed nuclear weapons, saying he was distorting the facts to justify his policies, Ynet news reports.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yeshar party and a former IDF chief, rejected Netanyahu’s remarks, saying, “Netanyahu made arrogant statements. Iran did not have any nuclear bombs.

“He is making up a reality to frighten the Israeli public,” he added.

Former PM Naftali Bennett also disputed Netanyahu’s account, calling the statement false. “Yesterday it was said that Iran already possessed nuclear bombs. That’s a lie. It’s an attempt to rewrite history,” Bennett said at the same conference.