Ahmadinejad denies New York Times report of Mossad recruitment attempt and house arrest

Jul 13, 2026

The office of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has strongly denied a New York Times report alleging that Israel's Mossad recruited him in a failed regime change plot. The report claimed Mossad Director David Barnea met Ahmadinejad in Budapest in 2024 and later placed him in a safe house after a February 2026 airstrike. Ahmadinejad's office dismissed the allegations as "Hollywood-style claims" and denied reports of his house arrest, while former Mossad official Sagi Assulin warned the leaks jeopardize state security.

Ahmadinejad denies Mossad recruitment

▪The office of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied allegations that Israel's Mossad sought to recruit him as an intelligence asset.
▪Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office described the Mossad recruitment allegations as Hollywood-style claims and psychological warfare designed to mislead public opinion.

New York Times allegations

▪The New York Times reported that Israel orchestrated a yearslong plan to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran's new leader following a regime change operation.
▪The New York Times cited American and Iranian officials stating that Israel's secret relationship with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began developing in 2022.

Budapest safe house claims

▪The New York Times reported that Israeli operatives transported Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to a safe house inside Iran after an airstrike hit his compound on February 28, 2026.
▪The New York Times reported that then-Mossad Director David Barnea personally met Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Budapest in 2024.

House arrest denial

▪Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office stated that the former president remains active and is continuing his normal daily work.
▪Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office denied reports that the former president was placed under house arrest in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Public funeral appearance

▪Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in July 2026.
▪The funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's first public appearance since the war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Israeli intelligence leak concerns

▪Sagi Assulin stated that publishing details of the alleged operation could harm intelligence assets, operational capabilities, and Israeli state security.
▪Former senior Mossad official Sagi Assulin criticized the publication of the reported operation, warning that disclosing operational details could jeopardize intelligence methods and sources.