Early War Goal Was to Install Hard Line Former President as Iran’s Leader
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Following Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader and other top officials, President Trump suggested that someone from within Iran should take over the country.
- The U.S. and Israel had a surprising plan to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former Iranian president known for his hard-line anti-Israel and anti-American stance, as a leader during the conflict.
- The plan involved freeing Ahmadinejad from house arrest via an Israeli strike on his home in Tehran, but he was injured in the attempt and subsequently became disillusioned with the regime change effort.
- Ahmadinejad's selection was controversial due to his history of aggressive rhetoric against Israel and the U.S., support for Iran's nuclear program, and harsh internal repression during his presidency from 2005 to 2013.