Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Under House Arrest Amid Allegations of Israeli Ties
Ahmadinejad's House Arrest
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former President of Iran, has reportedly been placed under house arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following revelations of extensive interactions with Israeli officials. This information comes from a report by a prominent news outlet, which cited four high-ranking Iranian officials. The report indicates that Israel has been engaged in a covert initiative for years to recruit Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset, even contemplating his potential installation as Iran's leader should the current regime collapse.
One notable incident occurred in early 2024 when a senior official from Hungary requested Gergely Deli, the rector of Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest, to invite Ahmadinejad to a climate change conference. Deli revealed to the news outlet that the event was intended to facilitate clandestine discussions between Ahmadinejad and Israeli intelligence operatives. Despite concerns about the implications for his reputation and that of the university, Deli agreed, believing that fostering dialogue between adversaries was beneficial.
Former U.S. officials disclosed that the then-head of Mossad, David Barnea, personally traveled to Budapest for the meeting with Ahmadinejad.
Allegations of Secret Payments
The report further claims that Israel made several undisclosed payments to Ahmadinejad's spokesperson, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, and that Israeli agents met with him multiple times prior to the initiation of Operation Roaring Lion. In February, Ahmadinejad's residence was reportedly targeted in an Israeli airstrike aimed at his bodyguards and armored vehicle. Following this, he was taken to a secure location by Mossad agents before disappearing under unclear circumstances. He was later seen at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to senior Iranian officials, Ahmadinejad has since been detained by the IRGC's intelligence division and placed under house arrest. Both Mossad representatives and Javanfekr declined to comment on the matter.
'Power, Not Money'
Abdolreza Davari, a former advisor to Ahmadinejad, dismissed the notion that financial incentives drove the ex-president's actions. He stated, "He has wealth and a vast economic network. His motivations are rooted in a desire for power." Another associate mentioned that Ahmadinejad had expressed aspirations of regaining power with foreign support and was concerned that conflict might lead the U.S. and Israel to favor another candidate. This associate also noted Ahmadinejad's growing distrust of Iran's political landscape, especially after being barred from presidential elections three times. He had previously indicated that if he returned to power, he would aim to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.