TEHRAN: Unverified reports circulating in regional media have claimed that Israel pursued a covert strategy to position former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential future leader of Iran, though no independent evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegations.
The invitation is alleged to have served as a cover for confidential meetings involving senior Hungarian officials. The claims further suggest that Hungary facilitated indirect contacts on the premise that dialogue between adversaries should be encouraged.
The reports also allege that Mossad chief David Barnea secretly met Ahmadinejad during his visit to Hungary. However, no official confirmation has been issued by Israel, Hungary or Ahmadinejad regarding such a meeting.
The alleged plan was reportedly linked to a broader effort to influence political developments in Iran. The reports claim that during heightened tensions in February 2026, there was an attempt to present Ahmadinejad as an alternative political figure after securing his release from house arrest. The effort is said to have failed, leaving Iran’s current leadership unchanged.
The reports further allege that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later detained Ahmadinejad after tracing his alleged contacts with Israeli intelligence. His current status remains unclear, although the reports claim he is once again under house arrest.
None of these allegations have been independently verified, and Iranian, Israeli and Hungarian authorities have not publicly confirmed the claims.
