Ehud Barak warns Netanyahu may attack Iran to obstruct formation of new government

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak warned on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could launch an attack on Iran to prevent the formation of an alternative Israeli government.

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, Barak said Netanyahu was like a wounded animal and might resort to attacking Iran to prevent another government from being formed.

“I know how to read between the lines. Netanyahu planned to carry out a provocation in Iran through the Mossad, behind the back of the army’s Chief of Staff,” Barak said.

Earlier, Channel 12 reported a disagreement between Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over an order to carry out a military operation related to Iran.

According to the channel, officials within the military establishment fear that the operation could lead to an escalation with Tehran and may be politically motivated.

It added that Zamir had requested further consultations and written authorisation from the political leadership before carrying out the order.