Fmr. Iranian president under house arrest after regime uncovers ties to Israel, Mossad - report

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is currently under house arrest following revelations that Iranian authorities have discovered his long-standing ties with Israeli intelligence, according to reports from multiple sources. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence wing has detained him, marking a dramatic turn in the political landscape of Iran. The alleged connections between Ahmadinejad and Israel reportedly began years ago, with Israel conducting a covert operation aimed at recruiting him as an intelligence asset. According to an extensive investigation by The New York Times, the plan eventually evolved to include the possibility of installing Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader following the regime’s collapse. One of the more unusual phases of this operation occurred in early 2024, when a senior Hungarian government official approached Gergely Deli, rector of the Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest, requesting that he invite Ahmadinejad to a conference on climate change. Deli was informed that the conference would actually serve as a cover for secret discussions between Ahmadinejad and Israeli intelligence officials. Despite concerns over the potential damage to his reputation and the university’s standing, Deli agreed to the invitation, believing that facilitating dialogue between adversaries could be beneficial. David Barnea, former head of Mossad, was personally dispatched to Budapest to meet with Ahmadinejad, according to the report. This meeting was part of a broader effort by Israeli intelligence to engage with Ahmadinejad, who was known for his controversial rhetoric and international presence. Over time, Israel reportedly made several secret payments to Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a spokesperson for Ahmadinejad, and Israeli agents continued to meet with him prior to the start of Operation Roaring Lion in February. During this period, Ahmadinejad’s home compound was struck by an Israeli airstrike targeting his bodyguards and armored vehicle. Following the attack, he was allegedly intercepted by Mossad operatives and taken to a secret safe house. He remained there for some time before leaving for unknown reasons and reappearing at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Senior Iranian officials confirmed that he has since been taken into custody by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence wing and placed under house arrest. Ahmadinejad’s motivations appear to have been driven by a desire for power rather than financial gain, according to a former advisor named Abdolreza Davari. Davari told The New York Times that Ahmadinejad would not have engaged with Israel for monetary reasons, given his existing wealth and economic networks. Instead, he sought influence and leadership within Iran. Another associate described Ahmadinejad’s ambitions to become Iran’s new ruler with the support of foreign powers, expressing concern that a war might lead the United States and Israel to favor a destabilizing figure. After being disqualified from the presidency three times, Ahmadinejad became increasingly disillusioned with the Iranian system and voiced frustrations toward key figures within the regime, including Khamenei. His associate further noted that Ahmadinejad once suggested, should he return to power, he would seek to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. These statements highlight the complex and often contradictory nature of Ahmadinejad’s political career, marked by both defiance and strategic engagement with external actors. As the situation unfolds, the implications for Iran’s internal politics and its relationships with global powers remain uncertain.