Lead

Recent reports from The New York Times and Haaretz have reignited debate over Israel's thinking about regime change in Iran, focusing on an alleged covert effort to recruit former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. According to these reports, Israeli officials explored installing the ultraconservative former leader, who served two terms from 2005 to 2013, as a possible figurehead in a post-Islamic Republic scenario. The effort reportedly intensified during the war and involved secret contacts in Hungary.

Coverage Comparison

The story has been covered by three outlets, each with varying emphasis. Deutsche Welle framed the reports as part of a broader discussion over Israel's regime change strategy, noting that they raised questions about Ahmadinejad's place in Iranian politics. The Guardian provided detailed reporting, describing the alleged operation as a "remarkable quest" to turn a leader who had denied the Holocaust and called for Israel's erasure. Jerusalem Post focused on the reported house arrest of Ahmadinejad and the uncovering of his contacts with Israel.

While all three sources reference the same underlying reports, they diverge in tone and detail. Deutsche Welle remained analytical, noting that the details have not been independently verified and remain unconfirmed. The Guardian used more active language, describing Ahmadinejad as "intensely anti-Zionist" and referencing a "brutal campaign" in Gaza. Jerusalem Post adopted a neutral, passive tone, simply reporting on the claims.

Key Claims

  • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is reported to be under house arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence arm, according to a New York Times report citing four senior Iranian officials. Iranian authorities reportedly uncovered a significant portion of his contacts with Israel.
  • Israel allegedly conducted a covert operation aimed at recruiting Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset, with a later plan to install him as Iran’s leader following the overthrow of the regime, as reported by The New York Times and Haaretz.
  • A senior Hungarian government official asked Gergely Deli, rector of the Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest, to invite Ahmadinejad to a conference on climate change as cover for secret talks between Ahmadinejad and Israeli intelligence officials. Deli agreed, believing that if enemies want to talk, it is best to facilitate that dialogue.
  • David Barnea, former chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, personally oversaw part of the contact effort, including a reported meeting in Budapest. The Guardian noted that Barnea reportedly skipped a security consultation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to focus on Ahmadinejad.
  • Ahmadinejad had reportedly begun to distance himself from the regime, improve his English, and redefine his image, according to The Guardian's reporting.
  • The international sanctions regimen imposed on Iran over its nuclear activities had become a burden rather than an asset, according to Ahmadinejad, as reported by The Guardian.

Perspectives

Ahmadinejad's Office

Ahmadinejad's office has rejected the claims, describing them as "absurd" and "completely false," as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Israeli Officials (via Reports)

The reports, attributed to The New York Times and Haaretz, suggest Israel saw Ahmadinejad as a potential asset, with the operation involving senior intelligence figures and diplomatic cover.

Hungarian Official Gergely Deli

Deli told reporters he agreed to the invitation despite reputational concerns, expressing a belief in facilitating dialogue between adversaries.