Former Iranian president calls allegations fabricated, denies any contact with Israeli intelligence
TEHRAN: Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday firmly rejected a report published by The New York Times alleging that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency attempted to recruit him and that he is currently under house arrest, describing the claims as entirely false.
In an official statement, Ahmadinejad’s office accused the newspaper of publishing fabricated information aimed at misleading public opinion and creating political divisions within Iran. The office also rejected the allegation that the former president is under house arrest, calling it part of what it described as an “absurd” narrative.
“We categorically reject all the completely false allegations promoted by The New York Times,” the statement said, insisting that the report lacked factual basis.
Newspaper details alleged intelligence operation
According to The New York Times, Israeli intelligence officials allegedly sought in recent years to persuade Ahmadinejad to cooperate with Israel and viewed him as a potential figure to lead Iran under a broader regime-change strategy.
The report claimed Israeli operatives met Ahmadinejad abroad on several occasions, including during visits to Budapest, and alleged that he received financial assistance for housing and travel. It further stated that the operation intensified during the opening days of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran in late February, when intelligence officials allegedly attempted to move him from Tehran as part of a plan to reshape Iran’s leadership.
The newspaper also reported that an air strike targeted a compound linked to Ahmadinejad, damaging a building used by his security personnel and his armored vehicle before he was allegedly moved to a secure location inside Iran.
Public appearance follows conflict
Ahmadinejad’s office dismissed every aspect of the report and denied any cooperation with Israeli intelligence or restrictions on his movement.
The former president, who served from 2005 to 2013, made his first public appearance since the US-Israeli conflict last week when he attended the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ending speculation about his whereabouts following the recent fighting.
