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A report that Washington and Jerusalem had considered installing former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as part of a post-war regime transition has sparked dismay and disbelief among the Iranian diaspora, who say such a move would betray the aspirations of the Iranian people and undercut their push for a democratic alternative.

The New York Times, citing anonymous American sources, reported that promoting Ahmadinejad was an early goal of the February 28 strikes on Iran. According to the report, an Israeli airstrike on Ahmadinejad's home was part of a plot to free him from house arrest, but he has not been seen since the strike, despite multiple indications that he is alive and well.

Members of the Iranian diaspora told The Jerusalem Post that the report was "demoralizing" and that they doubted its credibility, as reported by the Post.

Coverage Comparison

Two articles from The Jerusalem Post covered the story from distinct angles. The first, an analytical piece by Seth J. Frantzman published on May 20, focused on Ahmadinejad's past—his role as a nuclear program supporter, his Holocaust denial, and his image as a far-right nationalist populist—and questioned why Israel and the US would tap such a figure to run Iran. The second, an opinionated piece by Danielle Greyman-Kennard published on May 25, centered on the diaspora's reaction, describing the report as "demoralizing," "a betrayal," and "insulting."

The two articles draw on the same underlying report but frame it differently: the first takes a broader analytical approach, while the second emphasizes the emotional response from the Iranian opposition.

Key Claims

  • NYT report: The New York Times reported that an early war goal of the Israel and US strikes on Iran on February 28 was to create a kind of regime transition and have Mahmoud Ahmadinejad return to lead Iran, according to The Jerusalem Post's coverage.
  • Ahmadinejad's history: He was an implacable foe of Israel, a key supporter of the nuclear program, and a Holocaust denier, as noted in the Post's analysis.
  • Airstrike and disappearance: An airstrike on Ahmadinejad's home was reportedly aimed at freeing him from house arrest, but he was wounded in the strike and has not been seen since, although indications suggest he is alive, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
  • Diaspora reaction: Members of the Iranian diaspora expressed doubt and demoralization over the reports, with some stating that any future conception of Iran under the Islamic Republic is a betrayal of the people and an insult to those who lost their lives in protests, as quoted in the Post.
  • Call for Crown Prince: Activists noted that millions of Iranians have openly chanted the name of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the alternative to the Islamic Republic, per the Post.

Perspectives

Diaspora Activists

Ellie Borhan, founder of the London-based Stage of Freedom group, told The Jerusalem Post that the move would "discourage and demoralize the millions of Iranians who, both inside Iran and across the world, have openly chanted the name of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the alternative to the Islamic Republic." Borhan added that the people of Iran have made their position "unmistakably clear" and that any future under the Islamic Republic would be a betrayal and an insult to those who died in January demonstrations.

Borhan also stressed that "they fear the survival of the Islamic Republic far more than they fear war," citing the peaceful protests of January that were met with a regime crackdown.

Analytical View

Seth J. Frantzman's analysis in the Post raises questions about the plausibility of the reported plan, noting that Ahmadinejad's past positions make him an unlikely US-Israeli ally. The article suggests that some might see this as a "Maduro scenario"—removing a foe and bringing in someone who could do a deal—but acknowledges that the feasibility of such a scheme is unclear, especially given that Masoud Pezeshkian is still in office.

Unverified Nature

The reports rely on anonymous American sources, and the diaspora activists themselves expressed doubt about their credibility. The Jerusalem Post did not independently verify the claims, and the fate of Ahmadinejad remains unclear.

Note: This article synthesizes reporting from The Jerusalem Post. The New York Times report has not been independently confirmed by other outlets in the provided material.