US and Israel ‘hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader’
Recent claims suggest that the US and Israel considered installing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader during efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime. Ahmadinejad, who previously held a contentious presidency, has since positioned himself as a critic of the current leadership. The reports have raised skepticism regarding the feasibility of such plans and the overall effectiveness of US and Israeli strategies in Iran.
- ▪Claims emerged that Israel aimed to install Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader by bombing a security building near his home.
- ▪Ahmadinejad has transformed his image into that of a regime critic after a fallout with supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
- ▪The New York Times report has been met with skepticism, suggesting it may be disinformation from Ahmadinejad's supporters or Israeli intelligence.
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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has recast himself as a regime critic after falling out with fellow Iranian leaders. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/ReutersView image in fullscreenMahmoud Ahmadinejad has recast himself as a regime critic after falling out with fellow Iranian leaders. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/ReutersIranUS and Israel ‘hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader’Airstrike at the start of the war was aimed at freeing populist ex-president from house arrest, US newspaper claims Middle East crisis – live updates Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editorWed 20 May 2026 10.40 EDTLast modified on Wed 20 May 2026 10.47 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleFresh questions have been raised over the US and Israeli effort to depose the Iranian regime after it was claimed that Israel wanted to put the…
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