Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Under House Arrest? NYT Claims Ex-Iran President Was Part of Alleged Israeli Regime Change Plot

A New York Times (NYT) report has made explosive claims that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is under house arrest after allegedly engaging in secret contacts with Israeli intelligence as part of a reported regime-change plan. The report, based on anonymous American, Israeli and Iranian sources, has not been independently verified, and neither Iran nor Israel has officially responded to the allegations.

According to the report, Ahmadinejad was allegedly considered a potential leader in a post-regime Iran if the country's current leadership collapsed.

NYT alleges secret Israel-Ahmadinejad contacts

The report claims Israeli intelligence held multiple secret meetings with Ahmadinejad outside Iran as part of a long-term effort to establish communication.

One of the alleged meetings reportedly took place in Hungary, where Ahmadinejad attended a climate conference at Budapest's Ludovika University.

According to the report, the conference served as a cover for covert discussions between Ahmadinejad and Israeli intelligence officials.

The NYT further claimed that then-Mossad chief David Barnea personally travelled to Budapest for one of the meetings.

Neither the Israeli government nor Mossad has commented on these allegations.

Alleged extraction plan during Iran conflict

The report also claims that during the opening days of the recent US-Israel conflict with Iran, Israeli operatives attempted to extract Ahmadinejad from his compound.

According to anonymous sources cited by the newspaper, an Israeli strike allegedly damaged the property before Ahmadinejad was moved to a safe house by individuals described as Mossad agents.

However, the alleged operation reportedly failed after Ahmadinejad became sceptical of the proposed plan and left the safe house.

These claims remain unverified.

Report claims Ahmadinejad is under house arrest

According to the NYT, Iranian authorities later uncovered details of Ahmadinejad's alleged contacts with Israel.

The report claims he is now effectively under house arrest under the supervision of the intelligence wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iranian authorities have not confirmed or denied the report.

Ahmadinejad's changing political image

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad served as Iran's President between 2005 and 2013 and was widely known for his anti-Israel rhetoric and confrontational foreign policy.

Since leaving office, he has increasingly criticised sections of Iran's political establishment and positioned himself as an outsider challenging the ruling elite.

The NYT report also claims Ahmadinejad privately hoped to return to power and was open to improving relations with Israel as part of a future political transition, although no public evidence has been presented to support this assertion.

The newspaper further alleged that Israel explored additional plans involving Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, though those efforts reportedly never materialised.

At present, the allegations remain unverified, and there has been no official confirmation from either Tehran or Jerusalem.

Key Highlights

• A New York Times report claims Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is under house arrest in Iran.
• The report alleges he held secret meetings with Israeli intelligence officials.
• Hungary reportedly hosted one of the covert meetings in 2024.
• The NYT claims Israel considered Ahmadinejad a possible post-regime leader.
• An alleged extraction operation reportedly failed during the recent Iran conflict.
• Neither Iran nor Israel has officially commented on the allegations.
• The claims are based on anonymous sources and remain independently unverified.

FAQs

Why is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the news?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in the news after a New York Times report alleged he secretly communicated with Israeli intelligence and is now under house arrest in Iran.

Is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad under house arrest?

The New York Times claims Ahmadinejad is under house arrest, but Iranian authorities have not confirmed the report.

What does the NYT report claim?

The report alleges Ahmadinejad held covert meetings with Israeli intelligence and was considered as a possible leader during an alleged Israeli-backed regime-change effort in Iran.

Did Iran or Israel confirm the allegations?

No. Neither the Iranian government nor Israeli officials have publicly confirmed or denied the claims.

Who is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad served as Iran's President from 2005 to 2013 and became internationally known for his hardline positions on Israel and the West.