00:00Did Israel try to choose Iran's next leader?
00:03According to a New York Times investigation, yes.
00:05Israel reportedly spent years cultivating former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
00:10The goal?
00:11According to the report, Israel wanted to position him as a future leader
00:14if Iran's regime collapsed during this year's war.
00:17The plan accelerated after Ahmadinejad's residence was reportedly struck during the conflict.
00:22The New York Times says he was quickly moved to a safe house
00:25as Israeli officials believed he could play a role if Iran's leadership fell.
00:28Israeli intelligence reportedly held secret meetings with Ahmadinejad in Budapest
00:32under the cover of academic conferences.
00:35Ahmadinejad's office has denied the allegations, calling them fabricated.
00:39But if the report is accurate, it offers a rare glimpse into the extraordinary lengths.
00:43Intelligence agencies may go in pursuit of regime change.
Comments