Israel spent years cultivating former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset and considered installing him as Iran’s new leader, according to an investigation by The New York Times.
The operation reportedly reached its final stage during the first days of the US-Israeli war against Iran in February 2026. Mossad operatives removed Ahmadinejad from his Tehran residence and took him to a secret safe house. However, the plan collapsed after he became upset over the rescue operation and apparently lost confidence in Israel’s regime change strategy.
Secret meetings in Budapest
The New York Times reported that Ahmadinejad travelled to Budapest in 2024 after receiving an invitation to attend a climate change conference at Ludovika University of Public Service.
The conference was allegedly arranged as a cover for meetings between Ahmadinejad and Israeli intelligence officials. David Barnea, who was then heading Mossad, reportedly travelled to Budapest to meet him personally.
Ahmadinejad returned to the Hungarian capital in June 2025. His Iranian bodyguards later reported that he evaded their surveillance on at least two occasions for lengthy meetings. He claimed that he had been meeting university professors. Israeli operatives also reportedly provided money for his housing and foreign travel.
Mossad operation in Tehran
On 28th February 2026, an Israeli airstrike targeted Ahmadinejad’s compound. The building housing his bodyguards and his armoured vehicle were hit.
A black Peugeot arrived at the compound soon afterwards and took Ahmadinejad away. American and Iranian officials told the newspaper that Mossad operatives were driving the vehicle.
He was taken to a safe house as Israel attempted to begin a broader operation aimed at overthrowing the Iranian government. The plan also included training Iranian Kurdish opposition forces to capture territory and eventually move towards Tehran. That operation never materialised. Ahmadinejad later left the safe house under unclear circumstances.
Former president reportedly under house arrest
Ahmadinejad was not seen publicly again until he briefly appeared at the funeral procession of slain Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He appeared surrounded by security personnel and did not speak. Four unnamed senior Iranian officials told The New York Times that he was now in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence wing and had been placed under house arrest.
Ahmadinejad had reportedly told close associates that he wanted to return to power with foreign support. He believed he could lead Iran after regime change and was prepared to recognise Israel and join the Abraham Accords.
No statements have been released by Mossad and Ahmadinejad’s spokesperson on the allegations.
