The New York Times tells how the Israeli secret service wanted to install the former Iranian head of state as the new strong man in Tehran. The incredible case in five points.
July 15, 2026, 06:33Jul 15, 2026, 06:41
Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should have been installed as the new ruler in Tehran after the start of the Iran war on February 28th. But Israel’s plan failed, as the New York Times reported a few weeks ago. Well double the world paper and tells in a new article how the legendary secret service Mossad cultivated the former regime supporter Ahmadinejad. A story full of crazy details.
Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Image: keystone
Ahmadinejad also resorted to Botox
Ahmadinejad, now 69 years old, served as Iranian president from 2005 to 2013 and repeatedly caused a stir with controversial statements. He was considered a hardliner. After his withdrawal everything became quiet around him; Ahmadinejad’s opponents around revolutionary leader Ali Khamenei blocked several comeback attempts, perhaps because he suddenly acted as a reformer. But Ahmadinejad didn’t let up. If necessary, he is said to have told confidants, he would return to the leadership of his country with the help of foreign powers.
This reinvention of Ahmadinejad was also noted in Israel. Secret service representatives noticed how the former president suddenly sought contact with high-ranking Western politicians. He also learned English and improved his appearance with the help of Botox injections and tailor-made suits.
It is not known exactly when the Israeli foreign secret service Mossad approached Ahmadinejad. The New York Times reports on a climate conference in Guatemala in 2023, to which the Iranian arrived after some back and forth. (Iranian security forces only allowed Ahmadinejad to leave the country after protests.) Guatemala has close diplomatic relations with Israel.
In 2024, Ahmadinejad attempted to run for president again.Image: keystone
A Hungarian invitation as a pretext
Direct talks between Ahmadinejad and Israeli government representatives took place in 2024 and 2025. Namely in Budapest, on the sidelines of international conferences at Ludovika University. The Hungarian government was aware of these meetings; Apparently, a representative of then Prime Minister Viktor Orbán specifically asked the Ludovika rector to invite Ahmadinejad to Hungary. The government representative also admitted that the conference was just a pretext.
From the Israeli side, the then Mossad chief David Barnea allegedly traveled to Budapest. Shortly after the first meeting, Barnea is said to have informed the US partner agency CIA about the recruitment attempt. The Mossad also supported Ahmadinejad financially, reports the New York Times.
Former Mossad chief David Barnea.Image: keystone
In Budapest, the ex-president shook off his bodyguards
Ahmadinejad was accompanied on his trips to Hungary by bodyguards who belonged to the Revolutionary Guard. These were probably not only tasked with protecting the controversial ex-president; They should also make sure that Ahmadinejad doesn’t do any antics.
In June 2025, during his second trip to Budapest, Ahmadinejad managed to shake off his captors at least twice. When he returned after long absences, the bodyguards confronted him angrily. Ahmadinejad is said to have assured them that he only met with university professors. The guards then reported this to their superiors in Tehran, reports the New York Times.
Israel “rescued” Ahmadinejad with a Peugeot
The US journalists do not know what agreement Ahmadinejad reached with the Mossad. The ex-president is said to have described himself as a historical figure like Boris Yeltsin, who had (at least temporarily) enabled the change from a regime to a more democratic state structure in Russia.
Ahmadinejad (right) in 2008 at a meeting with former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.Image: keystone
Ahmadinejad was also constantly guarded in Tehran. When Israeli fighter jets carried out the first attacks on the Iranian capital on February 28, the former president’s compound was bombed. But the goal was not to kill him. Rather, the Israelis wanted to eliminate his guards. This succeeded, and shortly after the attacks began, a black Peugeot showed up at Ahmadinejad’s house with a Mossad agent behind the wheel. The ex-president was brought to safety in no time.
However, this hectic rescue operation left a sour taste in Ahmadinejad’s mouth. He apparently became upset and suddenly stopped supporting the plan to take power in Iran. Instead, Ahmadinejad left the safe house, the shelter the Israelis had provided him, and disappeared.
Short appearance at the funeral procession for Khamenei
The New York Times says that Ahmadinejad is now in the custody of the Revolutionary Guard’s secret service, the real center of power in Tehran. He is under house arrest after his advances towards the Israelis became known. Apparently Ahmadinejad is still alive. He was briefly seen at a funeral procession for revolutionary leader Khamenei last Monday. Ahmadinejad did not say a word during the event. He was surrounded by several bodyguards. (schweiztoday.ch)