Reports have emerged that the United States and Israel allegedly planned to install former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader following a presumed collapse of the regime. The New York Times, citing official sources, reported that the plan involved Israeli strikes on a security post to free Ahmadinejad from house arrest. However, the strikes on 28 February killed guards and injured Ahmadinejad, who was initially reported dead by Iranian media. He is said to have gone into hiding afterwards, disillusioned with the scheme.
Ahmadinejad, known for his populist and headline-grabbing communication style, shares similarities with Donald Trump. Both have been noted for autocratic governing tendencies and efforts to overturn election results. Ahmadinejad's controversial 2009 re-election was widely seen as stolen, mirroring Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 US election. However, the choice of Ahmadinejad by Israel is perplexing given his strong anti-Zionist stance.
During his presidency from 2005 to 2013, Ahmadinejad set Iran and Israel on a path to war. He called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" at a conference in Tehran, organised exhibitions challenging the Holocaust, and championed the resumption of Iran's nuclear programme. His actions fostered fear and hostility, leading to open warfare. Yet, Washington insiders suggest Ahmadinejad underwent a transformation after leaving office, becoming disenchanted with the regime and falling out with supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
After being rejected three times by a candidate vetting body when trying to regain the presidency in 2017, 2021, and 2024, Ahmadinejad's alienation grew. A former White House adviser described him as a true populist focused on Iranian nationalism and heritage, which the Islamic republic had dismissed. Regime-imposed restrictions on his movements may have been triggered by contacts with Israel, though details remain unclear.
