US and Israel ‘hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader’
US and Israel ‘hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader’
In a series of explosive revelations that have sent shockwaves through the international diplomatic community, recent reports have detailed a highly controversial and clandestine plan orchestrated by the United States and Israel during the early phases of their military conflict with Iran. The core of this audacious strategy, as revealed by investigative journalism from the New York Times and other major outlets, was the intended installation of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the new leader of the Persian Gulf nation. This plan, which surfaced following the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in late February 2026, represents one of the most unexpected pivots in modern geopolitical history, given Ahmadinejad's long-standing reputation as a fierce antagonist of Western interests and a vocal opponent of the Israeli state. The strategy, reportedly codenamed as part of "Operation Epic Fury," aimed to capitalize on the internal fissures within the Iranian regime to establish a more pliable, or at least predictable, leadership in Tehran.
The featured snippet for this trending news update confirms that the US and Israel reportedly hoped to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader following a regime-change strategy that began with targeted airstrikes against the current clerical leadership. According to officials briefed on the matter, the plan involved a "jailbreak" operation intended to free Ahmadinejad from house arrest in eastern Tehran by neutralizing his Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) guards. However, the plan ultimately unraveled when Ahmadinejad was injured in the strike and subsequently became disillusioned with the foreign-backed coup, leading to his disappearance from public view and the failure of the broader transition strategy.
The Genesis of Operation Epic Fury and the Regime Change Blueprint
The strategic objective behind the joint US-Israeli operations against Iran, specifically "Operation Epic Fury," was far more ambitious than simply disabling nuclear infrastructure or curbing missile capabilities. While the Trump administration publicly maintained that the primary goals were the dismantlement of ballistic missile production and the weakening of regional proxies, internal documents and official testimonies suggest a multi-phase plan for total regime collapse. The first phase consisted of decapitation strikes against the top echelons of the Iranian government, including the Supreme Leader and senior military commanders. Israeli intelligence, specifically the Mossad, played a lead role in developing the "alternative government" scenario that featured Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the central figurehead.
Planners believed that the combination of massive military pressure, the destruction of key infrastructure, and coordinated influence operations would trigger a systemic failure of the Islamic Republic. In this vacuum of power, the coalition sought a nationalist figure who possessed enough internal name recognition and administrative experience to manage the resulting chaos. Ahmadinejad, despite his past rhetoric, was identified as a candidate who had increasingly fallen out of favor with the clerical establishment and had signaled a potential willingness to engage in pragmatic "cost-benefit" calculations, as he had previously praised Donald Trump's business-like approach to politics.
The Unexpected Recruitment of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
One of the most persistent mysteries surrounding this report is how a leader once known for calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map" became the preferred choice for Tel Aviv and Washington. Analysis suggests that Ahmadinejad underwent a significant "transformation" after leaving the presidency in 2013. He became a vocal critic of the regime he once led, accusing senior officials of widespread corruption and distancing himself from the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. This internal estrangement made him an attractive target for Western intelligence services looking for a "pragmatic nationalist" within the existing system.
Reports indicate that Ahmadinejad may have been consulted about the plan through backchannels, potentially during his controversial travels to countries like Hungary and Guatemala in recent years. While the exact nature of his "recruitment" remains classified, associates of the former president have confirmed that he viewed the US and Israel as potential instruments for his return to relevance. The gamble was based on the belief that Ahmadinejad could lead a "monarchy-lite" or highly nationalistic administration that prioritized Persian heritage over Islamic fundamentalism, similar to the model seen with Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela.
The Jailbreak Operation in Narmak
On February 28, 2026, as the first wave of airstrikes hit government centers across Tehran, a specific and targeted operation was unfolding in the Narmak district of eastern Tehran. This was the site of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's residence, where he had been kept under unofficial house arrest and heavy surveillance by the IRGC for several years. The objective of the Israeli Air Force strike in this area was not to assassinate the former president, but to "liberate" him. Satellite imagery later confirmed that the target was a security outpost and checkpoint manned by the IRGC personnel responsible for restricting Ahmadinejad's movements.
The strike was intended to be surgical—eliminating the guards while leaving the residence standing. While the guard post was indeed destroyed, the operation did not go entirely as planned. Ahmadinejad was injured during the chaos of the attack. Though his injuries were initially reported by some Iranian state media as fatal, it was later clarified that he survived. However, the physical and psychological toll of nearly being killed by the very forces intending to "free" him appears to have been the turning point that derailed the entire political maneuver.
Why the Plan for an Alternative Government Failed
The collapse of the Ahmadinejad plan can be attributed to several critical miscalculations by US and Israeli planners. First and foremost was the assumption that the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei would lead to an immediate and total collapse of the IRGC's command structure. Instead, the Iranian state showed unexpected resilience, and the remaining leadership quickly moved to consolidate power. Secondly, the expected internal uprisings and the mobilization of Kurdish forces on the borders failed to materialize in the numbers required to destabilize the central government.
Furthermore, Ahmadinejad himself became the "missing piece" of the puzzle. Disillusioned by the injury he sustained and perhaps realizing the immense risk of being perceived as a foreign puppet, he "went to ground." Without their primary candidate for the post-war leadership, the coalition had no viable alternative to present to the Iranian public or the international community. This left the military campaign without a clear political exit strategy, resulting in the current stalemate where the clerical regime remains in power despite significant physical damage to its infrastructure.
| Operational Aspect | Details of the Plan vs. Reality |
|---|---|
| Primary Candidate | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Former President) |
| Initial Strike Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Goal of Narmak Strike | Free Ahmadinejad from house arrest by IRGC |
| Outcome for Candidate | Wounded and disillusioned; whereabouts currently unknown |
Ahmadinejad’s Political Evolution and the Trump Connection
The "business-like" affinity between Donald Trump and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a factor that many analysts believe paved the way for this unlikely alliance. In 2019, Ahmadinejad gave a surprising interview to the New York Times where he praised Trump as a "man of action" and a "businessman" capable of making rational decisions based on long-term benefits. This rhetoric was a far cry from the firebrand who once organized Holocaust-denial conferences. It suggested a shift toward a populist, nationalistic platform that resonated with the Trump administration's "America First" style of diplomacy.
Western policy insiders noted that Ahmadinejad had started to focus more on Persian heritage and ancient Iranian history, moving away from the strict Islamic identity promoted by the clerical establishment. This "transformation" was viewed by some as a genuine political shift and by others as a calculated move to broaden his appeal. Regardless of his true motivations, his willingness to criticize the corruption of the Iranian rulers made him a unique asset—a high-profile "insider-outsider" who could potentially bridge the gap between the old regime and a new, Western-aligned administration.
The Role of Israeli Intelligence and Mossad
The New York Times report highlights that while the United States provided the military might for "Operation Epic Fury," the political blueprint for the regime change was largely an Israeli creation. Mossad had been monitoring the growing friction between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei for over a decade. They identified the former president as someone who, despite his history of antisemitic rhetoric, was primarily a power-seeker who could be "managed" if given the opportunity to return to the presidency.
Israeli planners envisioned a multi-phase transition where military strikes would be followed by the installation of a "Committee of National Safety" led by Ahmadinejad. This committee would then oversee a managed transition toward a government that would agree to end Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of all sanctions and the guarantee of Ahmadinejad's personal power. The failure of this plan is now being scrutinized in the Knesset, with some officials accusing the intelligence services of overestimating their influence over Ahmadinejad and underestimating the loyalty of the IRGC to the clerical system.
International Reaction and the Iranian Response
The publication of these reports has led to a predictable wave of denials and counter-accusations. Iranian state-aligned news sites have dismissed the New York Times report as "implausible disinformation" and "Zionist propaganda." They maintain that Ahmadinejad was never under house arrest and that any strikes near his home were purely accidental or aimed at civilian intimidation. However, the lack of public appearances by Ahmadinejad since late February has only fueled the rumors regarding his involvement and subsequent injury.
Internationally, the revelation that the US and Israel sought to put a known Holocaust denier in power has caused significant friction with European allies. Many EU diplomats expressed shock at the choice, questioning the ethical and strategic logic of replacing one hardline regime with a populist leader of Ahmadinejad's history. Meanwhile, in Washington, the White House has largely dodged direct questions about the Ahmadinejad plot, with spokespeople instead focusing on the "successful" military objectives of the campaign, such as the destruction of ballistic missile sites.
The Current Status of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
As of late May 2026, the whereabouts and condition of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remain one of the greatest mysteries of the conflict. He has not been seen in public for nearly three months. His only communication has been a brief, formal message released through an associate mourning the death of Ayatollah Khamenei—a move analysts believe was a "life proof" signal intended to prevent the current regime from executing him for treason while he remains in hiding. There are conflicting reports about whether he is still in Iran or if he was successfully exfiltrated by foreign agents after the failed jailbreak.
The "Ahmadinejad Gamble" stands as a testament to the high-stakes, and often unpredictable, nature of regime-change operations. What was intended to be a masterstroke of geopolitical engineering instead became a cautionary tale of how personal disillusionment and operational failures can derail even the most carefully planned coups. The failure to install Ahmadinejad has left the coalition without a clear political partner in Tehran, complicating the efforts to broker a permanent end to the war.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actually consulted about the plan?
According to the New York Times, US officials confirmed that Ahmadinejad was consulted during the development of the plan, though the exact method of recruitment remains unknown.
Why did the US and Israel choose a former hardliner like Ahmadinejad?
Planners believed he was a populist nationalist who had become disillusioned with the clerical regime and possessed the administrative experience to stabilize the country after a regime collapse.
What happened during the strike on Ahmadinejad's home?
The strike targeted the IRGC security post guarding his home to free him from house arrest. Ahmadinejad was injured in the attack, which reportedly led to his withdrawal from the plan.
Is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad still alive?
Associates claim he is alive but injured. He has not appeared in public since the strike on February 28, 2026, and his current location is unknown.
How has the current Iranian government reacted to these reports?
The Iranian regime has dismissed the reports as disinformation and Zionist propaganda, denying that Ahmadinejad was ever part of a foreign-backed coup attempt.
Conclusion
The revelation that the US and Israel ‘hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader’ marks a surreal chapter in the history of Middle Eastern interventionism. It highlights a desperate attempt to find a pragmatic, nationalist alternative to the current clerical rule, even if that alternative came in the form of a former adversary. The failure of this plan—stymied by operational injuries, the resilience of the Iranian state, and the eventual disillusionment of the candidate himself—has left the region in a state of profound uncertainty. As the conflict continues, the "Ahmadinejad Gamble" will likely be remembered as a high-risk maneuver that underestimated the complexities of Iranian internal politics and the unpredictable nature of human subjects in the midst of war.
US and Israel ‘hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader’
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