From Hardline Ideologue to Softer Image
Ahmadinejad's role in intensifying tensions with Israel over Iran's nuclear program during his presidency made the recruitment attempt striking.
He sponsored a conference questioning the Holocaust and called for Israel's erasure.
But after leaving office in 2013, his relationship with Khamenei deteriorated, and he was rejected three times from running for president again.
Ahmadinejad moderated his views, improved his English, and underwent an image makeover, trimming his beard and appearing to receive botox.
He also criticized regime crackdowns on protests, despite his role in suppressing the 2009 green movement.
According to Haaretz, Ahmadinejad concluded Iran could not survive international sanctions, leading to questions about his loyalties.
Internal Israeli disagreement over the mission, called Operation Puss in Boots, saw National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi dismiss it as wild fantasies, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a halt three days before launch.
Netanyahu overrode the disagreements and ordered it to proceed.
Iranian officials grew suspicious after Ahmadinejad slipped his security detail twice during a 2025 trip to Budapest.
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Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute noted Ahmadinejad's disaffection was known to insiders, but questioned the timing of the reports.
