The reported plan ultimately failed, and Ahmadinejad remains in Iran. He was recently seen during the funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, surrounded by security personnel.

Ahmadinejad served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013 and was known for his hardline positions, including statements targeting Israel. During his presidency, Iran also resumed its uranium enrichment activities.

According to the report, Ahmadinejad met with Mossad operatives in 2024 and 2025, including a meeting with Barnea in June 2025 in Budapest, shortly before Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iranian military and nuclear facilities that month.

Meetings Disguised as University Invitations

The meetings reportedly took place under the cover of invitations to speak at Hungary’s Ludovika University of Public Service, where Ahmadinejad allegedly met Barnea, who served as the head of Israel’s Mossad until recently.

US and Israeli intelligence agencies had reportedly been monitoring Ahmadinejad’s growing tensions with Iran’s political establishment. He had been barred from running for president three times and had become increasingly critical of the system he once represented.

The report claimed that Israel secretly provided financial assistance for his travel and accommodation, while Israeli operatives met him abroad on multiple occasions.

According to US officials cited by The New York Times, Israel considered Ahmadinejad a potential political figure who could play a role after a possible change in Iran’s leadership. The CIA was reportedly informed about the discussions.

Ahmadinejad’s Shift in Public Image

The report said Ahmadinejad had told associates that he could present himself as a reformist figure in the event of a major political change or conflict, similar to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and could potentially support improved relations with Israel under US President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords framework.

However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly became suspicious of Ahmadinejad after he sent a public letter to Trump in 2017.

The former president also underwent visible changes in his public image, reportedly moving away from his traditional appearance by wearing tailored suits, grooming his beard, learning English, and sharing posts reflecting on American culture on social media platform X.

Ahmadinejad Now Under IRGC Surveillance

Iranian officials reportedly suspected Ahmadinejad had made contact with Mossad after he attended an environmental conference in Guatemala in 2023, a country that maintains close relations with Israel.

The report further claimed that Israel attempted to assist Ahmadinejad by carrying out a strike near his compound on February 28, targeting a building and an armored vehicle used by his security team.

According to US and Iranian officials familiar with the operation, a vehicle allegedly operated by Mossad agents transported Ahmadinejad to a safe location in Iran after the attack.

However, the report said Ahmadinejad became disappointed with the operation and grew skeptical of Israel’s alleged plans to help restore him to power.

The IRGC later investigated his alleged links with Israel, according to officials cited by the newspaper. After details of his contacts became public, Ahmadinejad left the safe location and is now reportedly under house arrest under the control of the IRGC’s intelligence wing.