Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Reportedly Placed Under House Arrest
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly been placed under house arrest by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after allegations surfaced that he maintained secret contacts with Israeli intelligence and was involved in an alleged Israeli-backed effort to reshape Iran’s leadership.
According to reports citing multiple Iranian officials, Ahmadinejad was detained by the IRGC’s intelligence branch after leaving what was described as a Mossad-operated safe house. The reported detention follows months of speculation surrounding his whereabouts after an Israeli airstrike struck his compound during Operation Epic Fury earlier this year.
Ahmadinejad, who served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, had reportedly not appeared publicly until last week’s funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was seen surrounded by security personnel, fueling renewed questions about his status within Iran’s ruling establishment.
Reports also claim that Israeli and U.S. officials had previously explored the possibility of supporting Ahmadinejad as a replacement leader because of his growing disagreements with Iran’s current ruling clerics. After leaving office, Ahmadinejad was repeatedly barred from seeking the presidency and increasingly clashed with the country’s religious leadership.
According to the reports, Ahmadinejad held secret meetings with Israeli intelligence representatives beginning in 2023, including discussions in Guatemala and later in Hungary. The meetings reportedly focused on Iran’s political future and the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel should Ahmadinejad ever return to power.
Former associates told reporters they do not believe Ahmadinejad was motivated by money. Instead, they said his primary goal was regaining political power after years of being sidelined by Iran’s ruling regime.
Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the reports, and neither Israel nor the United States has officially confirmed the allegations. If accurate, the developments would represent one of the most extraordinary intelligence stories involving a former Iranian leader in decades.