Ahmadinejad slams Mossad plot report as ‘Hollywood claims’
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office has denied a report alleging he met with Mossad's chief as part of an Israeli plot to overthrow the Iranian government, labeling the claim 'ridiculous'
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office has vehemently denied reports, originating from the New York Times, alleging a meeting between Ahmadinejad and Mossad's chief David Barnea in Hungary as part of an Israeli plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic, dismissing these claims as fabricated "Hollywood claims" and "psychological warfare" intended to confuse public opinion amidst current political sensitivities. Ahmadinejad's office asserted that the newspaper's additional claim of him being under house arrest was fabricated to support its "ridiculous claims," stating that he remains steadfast and actively engaged in serving the Iranian people. Iranian news outlet Khabar Online also refuted the house arrest claim, highlighting Ahmadinejad's recent international travels. Despite these denials, some analysts suggest there might be underlying plausibility to foreign intelligence interest in Ahmadinejad due to his critical stance towards the Iranian leadership, though they question the timing of the revelations and the likelihood of him possessing the internal support necessary for a regime change strategy.
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office has vehemently denied reports, originating from the New York Times, alleging a meeting between Ahmadinejad and Mossad's chief David Barnea in Hungary as part of an Israeli plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic, dismissing these claims as fabricated "Hollywood claims" and "psychological warfare" intended to confuse public opinion amidst current political sensitivities. Ahmadinejad's office asserted that the newspaper's additional claim of him being under house arrest was fabricated to support its "ridiculous claims," stating that he remains steadfast and actively engaged in serving the Iranian people. Iranian news outlet Khabar Online also refuted the house arrest claim, highlighting Ahmadinejad's recent international travels. Despite these denials, some analysts suggest there might be underlying plausibility to foreign intelligence interest in Ahmadinejad due to his critical stance towards the Iranian leadership, though they question the timing of the revelations and the likelihood of him possessing the internal support necessary for a regime change strategy.
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office has vehemently denied reports, originating from the New York Times, alleging a meeting between Ahmadinejad and Mossad's chief David Barnea in Hungary as part of an Israeli plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic, dismissing these claims as fabricated "Hollywood claims" and "psychological warfare" intended to confuse public opinion amidst current political sensitivities. Ahmadinejad's office asserted that the newspaper's additional claim of him being under house arrest was fabricated to support its "ridiculous claims," stating that he remains steadfast and actively engaged in serving the Iranian people. Iranian news outlet Khabar Online also refuted the house arrest claim, highlighting Ahmadinejad's recent international travels. Despite these denials, some analysts suggest there might be underlying plausibility to foreign intelligence interest in Ahmadinejad due to his critical stance towards the Iranian leadership, though they question the timing of the revelations and the likelihood of him possessing the internal support necessary for a regime change strategy.
The office of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has lashed out at reports that he met with Mossad’s chief David Barnea in Hungary as part of an Israeli plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic, calling them “Hollywood claims”.
Accusing the New York Times, which published the report, of peddling lies, the office of the former President said the newspaper’s claim that he was under house arrest was aimed at supporting its “ridiculous claims” of an Israeli plot.
Ahmadinejad said the newspaper was attempting to exploit the political sensitivities caused by military threats to confuse public opinion and was “using its widespread popularity to engage in psychological warfare against Iran.”
“The newspaper's lack of credibility and the ridiculousness of the scenario presented prevented it from being taken seriously. To compensate for its failure, this newspaper, which is known for publishing fake news and lies, has now, after 55 days, once again proposed the same disgraceful scenario and tried to stir up trouble by adding branches to the evil tree of lies. This daily newspaper, which is willing to publish fake articles and news about notorious and well-known elements in exchange for payment, has claimed that Ahmadinejad is under house arrest in order to support its ridiculous claim,” he said.
The former President’s office said though they believe the Hollywood claims of the New York Times do not need to be denied, it was doing so due to the sensitive circumstances of the country. “We announce to the dear and noble people of great and proud Iran that their beloved son and servant is proud and steadfast, as always busy with current affairs and at the service of each of those nobles,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Iranian news website Khabar Online too ridiculed the claims, stating that Ahmadinejad had never been under "house arrest" and has freely travelled anywhere in Iran and the world he wants. He has had several trips abroad, including to Guatemala and Hungary, it said.
Meanwhile, analysts who tracked Ahmadinejad’s career and life believe there could be some substance to it. “He certainly was very ambitious and wanted power. And it was clear that there was no way he could get to power so long as Khamenei and the regime were in charge," historian and author Arash Azizi, who remained in contact with Ahmadinejad for years after he left office, told Iran International.
However, he too casts doubt about the time of the revelations. “If Ahmadinejad was their person indeed... you burn this stuff 20 years later. What's the insistence on doing it right now?" Azizi said.
Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, also believes that it was plausible that Ahmadinejad attracted the attention of Mossad after distancing himself from the Islamic regime.
"Do I think Ahmadinejad was a person of interest to certain foreign intelligence organisations because of his status as someone who has been burned by the Iranian leadership? Yes," Brodsky told Iran International. But he argued that Ahmadinejad lacked support inside Iran's security establishment capable of triggering defections. "Defections would be part of any regime change strategy," he said.