The Jerusalem Post reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on allegations of working with Israeli intelligence. The arrest follows a New York Times investigation which detailed a long-running Mossad operation to recruit Ahmadinejad.
The Jerusalem Post now reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has arrested former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on suspicion of Mossad ties, citing Iranian sources. This adds a second major news outlet to the story, following the New York Times investigation that broke earlier today.
The story unfolded rapidly beginning at 13:52 Jerusalem, when The Zioneer reported on the NYT disclosure that four Iranian officials confirmed Ahmadinejad's house arrest by IRGC intelligence. At 13:55, a bulletin detailed the Mossad's long-running effort to cultivate Ahmadinejad, including a 2024 meeting with then-Mossad chief Dedi Barnea in Budapest and a failed rescue attempt on February 28, the opening day of Operation Roaring Lion, when an Israeli strike hit his compound and Mossad agents extracted him. At 14:00, further details emerged about the cultivation. At 14:02, a bulletin confirmed the arrest report. At 14:03, N12 journalist Asaf Rozentzweig reported that Mossad agents extracted Ahmadinejad after the strike. The Zioneer published an article at 14:04. Now, at 14:06, the Jerusalem Post provides independent confirmation.
As The Zioneer reported on June 19, security analyst Yair Goldblatt assessed that Iran is using President Trump as leverage to pressure Israel on Lebanon. On June 14, The Zioneer reported that the IRGC is preparing multiple response options against Israel after Hezbollah appealed for help.
The arrest has not been officially confirmed by Tehran. The full scope of the allegations and Ahmadinejad's current status remain under verification.
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