TEHRAN - A former Israeli prime minister has sharply criticized Benjamin Netanyahu over the failure of his military strategy toward Iran.

Ehud Barak said the Netanyahu government’s approach to the conflict has relied more on wishful thinking than on coherent strategic planning. He argued that expectations surrounding the war — including the collapse of Iran’s leadership, the seizure of enriched uranium, and the destruction of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs — do not reflect the realities on the ground.

“Despite the strikes carried out, the Iranian regime remains resilient, and there is no clear program to achieve the stated objectives, including control of the Strait of Hormuz or the movement of nuclear materials,” Barak said.

Barak served as Israel’s prime minister from 1999 to 2001 and previously held the posts of defense minister and chief of staff of the Israeli military.