July 14, 2026
Headline: Report: Israel tried to recruit a new leader for Iran
צילום: ויקיפדיה
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the president of Iran between the years 2005 and 2013.
During his tenure, he called for the destruction of Israel and denied the Holocaust.
Israel conducted a covert operation for several years to recruit Ahmadinejad.
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The goal was to position him as Iran's leader in the future after the regime's fall. This is according to a report by The New York Times.
According to the report, Mossad chief David (Dadi) Barnea met with him in Budapest in 2024. Israel funded part of his travel and accommodation expenses outside of Iran.
It was also reported that Mossad agents attempted to smuggle him out of a hiding place in Iran. The operation did not succeed. He is currently under house arrest by the Revolutionary Guards. The Iranian regime allegedly discovered his connection with Israel.
Israel has not responded officially.