PublishedMay 20, 02:00Last updatedMay 20, 14:40

US-Israel Plan to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran Leader

La Presse
May. 20, 2026 02:00
According to the New York Times, the U.S. and Israel considered former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The report was published on May 20, 2026. The revelation sheds light on geopolitical strategies in the region.
Summarized
8News
8Media
Kommersant
May. 20, 2026 14:31
New details emerge about the failed US-Israeli operation to change Iran's government. Reports indicate Mossad seriously considered reinstating hardline former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who had called for Israel's destruction. The plan ultimately failed.
The Guardian
May. 20, 2026 14:40
A US newspaper claims the US and Israel aimed to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest to install him as Iran’s leader. Ahmadinejad, known for his anti-Israel stance during his presidency, later criticized Iran’s regime. The report raises questions about the motives behind the airstrike at the start of the war.

The U.S. and Israel reportedly considered reinstating former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The plan, revealed on May 20, 2026, highlights the complex geopolitical strategies employed in the Middle East. Ahmadinejad, known for his hardline stance against Israel, was seen as a potentially more controllable figure despite his controversial history. The operation involved attempts to free him from house arrest, including an Israeli airstrike on his apartment. However, the plan ultimately failed, raising questions about the motivations behind the strategy. La Presse+2

🎯 Geopolitical Strategy

The plan to install Ahmadinejad reflects the contentious and often paradoxical nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics. Both the U.S. and Israel viewed Ahmadinejad, a former president with a history of anti-Israel rhetoric, as a more manageable leader compared to other potential successors. This strategy underscores the lengths to which both nations were willing to go to reshape Iran’s leadership. Russian Gazette+1

🛡️ Operation Details

Israeli forces reportedly struck Ahmadinejad’s apartment to facilitate his escape from house arrest. The operation was part of a broader attempt to change Iran’s government following the assassination of Khamenei. Despite these efforts, Ahmadinejad was injured in the strike, and the plan failed to achieve its objectives. The involvement of Mossad in these operations highlights the covert nature of the strategy. The Independent+1

❓ Motives and Questions

The motivations behind the focus on Ahmadinejad remain unclear. While he was known for his anti-Israel stance during his presidency, Ahmadinejad had also criticized Iran’s regime later in his career. This duality raises questions about why Netanyahu and Trump considered him a viable candidate for leadership. The failed operation has sparked debates about the feasibility and ethics of such geopolitical maneuvers. The Guardian+1

IranMossadBenjamin NetanyahuMahmoud AhmadinejadAyatollah Ali Khamenei

topic.regionalNarratives

Canada
Canada
Coverage focuses on geopolitical strategies involving the U.S. and Israel in Iran.
Australia
Australia
Reporting emphasizes the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics and leadership considerations.
Russia
Russia
Discussion centers on the operational details and failures of U.S.-Israeli plans in Iran.
Germany
Germany
Outlets frame the event around the unclear motivations behind U.S.-Israeli actions in Iran.
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Reporting emphasizes the logistical and ethical questions surrounding U.S.-Israeli plans in Iran.

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La Presse
La Presse1

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US-Israel Plan to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran Leader | KoalaNews