A single report claims that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained a former Iranian president due to Israel-related activities. The identity of the former president and the specific allegations have not been disclosed.
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a public statement at 13:23 Jerusalem today, saying his mother voted for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for 30 years, a dismissive response to reports that he is under house arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over alleged ties to Israel. The quote, reported by Israeli journalist Asaf Rozenzweig (N12) citing the New York Times, appears to be a sarcastic denial of the regime's accusations.
The story unfolded rapidly earlier today. At 13:23 Jerusalem, a single unverified report, citing an unnamed source, claimed that the IRGC had arrested a former Iranian president in connection with Israel-related activities. Minutes later, at the same timestamp, the New York Times confirmed through four Iranian officials that the former president was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was arrested by the IRGC's intelligence organization and is being held under house arrest. The officials said his alleged connection to Israel was exposed as part of a plan to overthrow the regime. Then, at 13:23 Jerusalem, Ahmadinejad issued his public statement, providing a dismissive response to the reports.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today, the New York Times detailed that Ahmadinejad was detained by the IRGC after alleged Mossad recruitment. The Zioneer has also previously reported on the IRGC's heightened alert status and threats against the US and Israel, including a threat to strike US forces operating from Israel and an unverified report of a US strike killing an IRGC chief.
It remains unclear what specific evidence the IRGC has against Ahmadinejad, what the timeline of his alleged contacts with Israel entails, and whether the public statement indicates he is still in custody or has been released. The initial report was unverified, but the New York Times confirmation from multiple Iranian officials gives the story substantial weight.
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