Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly been placed under house arrest by the intelligence wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following allegations of secret contacts with Israel, according to a media report published on Monday.
Citing four senior Iranian officials, the report alleges that Israeli intelligence conducted a covert, multi-year effort to recruit Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset. It further claims the operation envisioned restoring the former president to power in the event of a future change in Iran’s leadership.
Alleged Meetings in Hungary
According to the report, a key phase of the alleged operation took place in Budapest in early 2024. Ahmadinejad was invited to a climate change conference at Ludovika University of Public Service, reportedly as a cover for secret meetings with Israeli intelligence.
The report claims Mossad Director David Barnea personally travelled to Budapest to meet Ahmadinejad. It also cites former US officials who alleged the meetings were part of a broader intelligence operation.
Return to Iran and Reported Detention
The report further claims that Ahmadinejad disappeared from public view for several months before resurfacing at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It alleges that shortly afterwards, the IRGC’s intelligence branch placed him under house arrest.
The Iranian government has not publicly confirmed the allegations, and no official statement has been issued regarding Ahmadinejad’s reported detention or the claims of contact with Israeli intelligence.