Israel's Mossad Reportedly Engages Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad Amid House Arrest

A detailed report by The New York Times revealed Israel's covert efforts to establish and maintain contact with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The operation included meetings with Mossad chief David Barnea, funding for housing and travel expenses, and a dramatic extraction by Mossad drivers on the day the current conflict began. Ahmadinejad, who has been under house arrest by Iran's Revolutionary Guards intelligence wing due to suspicions about his contacts with Israel, was recently seen attending a memorial for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alongside top Iranian officials.

Ahmadinejad, who served as Iran's president from 2005 to 2013, was once a prominent hardliner known for anti-Israel rhetoric and aggressive nuclear policies. However, in recent years, he softened his stance, adopting a more moderate public image, criticizing government corruption, and engaging with ordinary citizens. Despite restrictions imposed by the Iranian regime, he remained part of a senior advisory council and maintained a support base among the working class.

Sources close to Ahmadinejad disclosed his ambition to return to power with backing from foreign powers, expressing frustration over being barred from running for president multiple times. He reportedly envisions himself as a reformer who could normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords framework. Israeli intelligence closely monitored his growing estrangement from Iran's leadership, especially after he publicly reached out to former U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Ahmadinejad's attempted trip to Guatemala in 2023, where he was invited to an environmental conference by a government allied with Israel, was initially blocked by Iranian security forces, leading to a high-profile airport protest. Eventually, he was allowed to travel. The Mossad's Persian-language social media hinted at recruitment efforts, posting AI-generated images of Ahmadinejad and Iranian officials with Star of David symbols.

The former president's office denied any ties to Israel, calling the reports "completely false" and accusing them of psychological warfare. Israeli security officials view the engagement with Ahmadinejad as motivated by his desire for power rather than financial gain. Analysts suggest the developments could be part of broader attempts to sow discord within Iran's ruling elite amid ongoing regional tensions.