According to a Times of Israel report, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met Mossad chief Dedi Barnea as part of an alleged Israeli plan to install him as Iran's leader, and he is now under arrest by the IRGC.
The Times of Israel reported Monday afternoon that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met Mossad chief Dedi Barnea as part of an alleged Israeli plan to install him as Iran's leader, and that he is now under arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The report, citing unnamed sources, is the first to claim a direct face-to-face meeting between Ahmadinejad and the Mossad chief, adding a new detail to the evolving story.
The thread began Monday afternoon when the New York Times first reported Ahmadinejad's arrest by IRGC intelligence over alleged ties to Israel, citing four Iranian officials (13:23 Jerusalem). Ahmadinejad then issued a dismissive public statement, saying his mother voted for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for 30 years (13:23). The Jerusalem Post later confirmed the arrest, citing Mossad ties (13:23). The corroboration evolved from a single report to multiple newsrooms confirming the detention, though the nature of the alleged ties remained vague until the Times of Israel report introduced the meeting claim.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Monday, the New York Times later detailed a years-long Mossad operation to cultivate Ahmadinejad as a post-regime asset, including secret meetings, funding, and a failed rescue attempt (14:19 Jerusalem). The Jerusalem Post separately reported the arrest on suspicion of Mossad ties (14:07 Jerusalem). The Iranian government has not officially commented on the reports.
The specific claim of a meeting between Ahmadinejad and Barnea, as well as the alleged Israeli plan to install him as leader, remains unverified by independent sources. The Times of Israel report cites anonymous sources, and no official confirmation has been provided.
6 developments
- DevelopingNYT: Mossad Groomed Ahmadinejad as Post-Regime Leader, Smuggled Him Out of Tehran
- StrongNYT: Israel paid former Iranian president Ahmadinejad, attempted rescue on Operation Roaring Lion opening day
- DevelopingReport: Mossad agents extracted Ahmadinejad after Israeli strike on his compound on Feb. 28
- ConfirmedThe Zioneer reports from 2024 Budapest climate meeting that NYT says was secret Ahmadinejad-Mossad meeting
Source and signal
- Internal intake