Iran: The New York Times Reveals Mossad's Plan to Bring Ahmadinejad to Power

Washington, July 13, 2026 – An unprecedented intelligence operation, conducted in the shadows for years by the Mossad and aimed at transforming former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad into a key figure for a regime change in Tehran, was brought to light today by the New York Times. The plan, which involved secret meetings in Europe and a daring extraction operation during the February bombings, failed, leaving the former Iranian leader under arrest.

Mossad's Plan: From Enemy to "Ally"

According to the American newspaper, Israel bet on an unlikely figure: Ahmadinejad, known for his historically hostile positions towards the Jewish State. The goal was to leverage his popular following and disillusionment with the current establishment to promote his rise to the top in place of the Supreme Leader's regime.

The culmination of the strategy was to be reached on February 28, 2026, the day the joint military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran began. On that date, an air raid hit Ahmadinejad's residence in Tehran. The raid's objective was not the elimination of the politician, but to neutralize his Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) escort who were keeping him under surveillance. During the chaos of the attack, Mossad agents were to extract him and take him to a safe haven, in an attempt to orchestrate his return to the country's leadership.

Secret Meetings and Hungary's Role

The New York Times reveals surprising details about the operation's preparation:

• Budapest 2024: The then head of Mossad, David Barnea, reportedly met Ahmadinejad personally in Budapest, on the sidelines of a climate change conference.
• The Frontman: The official invitation was channeled through the Ludovika University. The university's rector, Gergely Deli, later admitted to acting as a "strohmann" (frontman) at the request of a senior Hungarian government official.
• Financial Support: Israel reportedly provided Ahmadinejad with funds to cover accommodation and travel expenses to facilitate his contact activities and recruitment.

The Failure and Arrest

However, the plan encountered insurmountable obstacles. Ahmadinejad, according to sources, felt troubled and disillusioned by the Israeli intervention's methods, abandoning the refuge under unclear circumstances. Despite attempting to reposition himself as a reformer capable of normalizing relations with Israel, his game was uncovered.

After disappearing from the radar for months, the former president reappeared last Monday at the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Shortly after, the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence services confirmed Ahmadinejad's arrest, following the discovery of his prolonged and documented contacts with Mossad.

The War Context

The operation was part of a broader Israeli plan to weaken the Tehran regime, already severely tested by the conflicts that marked 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Despite Mossad's support and the backing provided to various opposition factions, the Iranian regime remains, to date, firmly in power, albeit in a phase of extreme internal instability and international isolation.

As per usual practice, Israeli authorities have not released official comments on the operation.