Israel Secretly Cultivated Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad for Regime Change, NYT Reports

Israel has allegedly been engaged in a clandestine operation for years to cultivate former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential figurehead for regime change in Iran. The New York Times reported that Israeli intelligence, specifically the Mossad, has been in contact with the hardline politician, who served as president from 2005 to 2013.

Ahmadinejad, known for his staunchly anti-Israel stance, including calls for Israel's elimination and denial of the Holocaust, has fallen out of favor with Iran's current supreme leadership. He has faced repeated disqualifications from presidential bids and has openly criticized the corruption and governance of the current administration. This internal conflict reportedly caught the attention of Israeli intelligence.

According to reports, contact between Ahmadinejad and Israeli intelligence intensified around 2023, with alleged meetings taking place in Guatemala and Budapest. Israel is also said to have provided financial support for Ahmadinejad's living and travel expenses. However, following a recent escalation of conflict between the US-Israel and Iran, Ahmadinejad has reportedly grown skeptical of Israel's plans and has severed ties with the agency.

Currently, Ahmadinejad is reportedly under house arrest in Iran, managed by the intelligence wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, following the revelation of his contacts with Israel. He made a brief public appearance at the funeral procession of the former Supreme Leader. The reports suggest a complex and shifting dynamic involving a former Iranian leader, Israeli intelligence, and the internal political landscape of Iran.