According to reports by the New York Times and Israel's Haaretz, Israel attempted to recruit Iran's intensely anti-Zionist former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a new government in Tehran, an effort that reportedly began in 2022.
Key facts
- Israel reportedly tried to recruit former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a post-regime role.
- Mossad agents allegedly wooed Ahmadinejad after he distanced himself from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- Israel's top spy was reportedly sent to Budapest to meet him.
- The effort reportedly began in 2022 and continued during Israel's campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
- The claims come from reporting by the New York Times and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Israel attempted to recruit Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a new post-Islamic regime in Tehran, according to media reports cited by the Guardian. The claims are drawn from reporting by the New York Times and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Ahmadinejad, described as intensely anti-Zionist, was reportedly wooed by Mossad agents after he distanced himself from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. According to the reports, Israel went as far as sending its top spy to Budapest to meet with the former Iranian leader.
The effort is notable given Ahmadinejad’s record. He had denied the Holocaust and called for Israel’s erasure, making him an unlikely figure for such an approach, according to the reporting.
The reported quest to turn Ahmadinejad began in 2022, according to the New York Times and Haaretz. The outreach continued even after Israel became engaged in its campaign in Gaza against Hamas, which is a key Iranian ally.
The Guardian noted the reports as part of its coverage of the wider Middle East crisis. The full details and Israel’s motivations remain drawn from the accounts published by the New York Times and Haaretz.
Why it matters
The reported outreach highlights the depth of covert efforts to influence Iran's future leadership amid ongoing regional conflict. That Israel would reportedly approach a figure as openly hostile as Ahmadinejad underscores how far intelligence agencies may go to shape a post-regime scenario in Tehran.
Frequently asked questions
Who reported that Israel courted Ahmadinejad?
The claims come from reporting by the New York Times and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, as cited by the Guardian.
When did the reported effort begin?
According to the reports, the effort began in 2022 and continued even after Israel became engaged in its campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
Where did the reported meeting take place?
Israel reportedly sent its top spy to Budapest to meet Ahmadinejad, according to the media reports.