Iran’s Former Leader Denies Times Report

Key Points:

• Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied allegations that he was involved in a secret Israeli operation to groom him as an intelligence asset, calling the claims "Hollywood-style" and a form of psychological warfare.
• The New York Times investigation reported that Israel had planned to install Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader post-war, including covert meetings disguised as a climate change conference in Hungary.
• The operation reportedly ended with a failed rescue attempt after an airstrike on Ahmadinejad’s home, leading to his disillusionment and departure from a safe house.
• Ahmadinejad’s office refuted reports that he is under house arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, though his current status remains unclear according to Iranian officials cited by the Times.
• The authenticity of the statement and Ahmadinejad’s direct involvement could not be confirmed, as it was issued by his office and published by a news outlet close to him.