Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad Reported Dead in US-Israeli Attack
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been reported dead in an alleged attack on Tehran attributed to the United States and Israel, according to Israeli journalist Amit Segal of N12News. The report indicates that Ahmadinejad was eliminated overnight, with the revelation being particularly significant given that he was reportedly under house arrest following an attempted coup several weeks prior. However, Iranian state media has yet to provide official commentary on these claims.
Ahmadinejad served as Iran’s president from 3 August 2005 to 3 August 2013. Before assuming the presidency, he held positions as Governor of Ardabil Province and Governor of Tehran.
In his foreign policy orientation, Ahmadinejad adopted a conservative stance, harshly criticising the administration of George W. Bush Jr., whilst advocating for strengthened relations between Iran and Russia as well as Arab nations. He repeatedly made strong statements against Israel and denied the Holocaust. In 2022, he expressed opposition to Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The reported death of Ahmadinejad follows the confirmed deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders in recent military operations. Iranian state media agencies Fars and Tasnim confirmed Khamenei’s death after US President Donald Trump announced the Supreme Leader had been eliminated in a large-scale military operation. Following these strikes on 28 February, several armed forces commanders, including the Chief of Staff and Defence Minister, were also reported killed.
Iran has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a senior cleric, as interim Supreme Leader following Khamenei’s death. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that the Assembly of Experts would shortly begin the process of selecting a new Supreme Leader.
Iran has strongly denied US President Trump’s allegations that Tehran is developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States and pursuing military nuclear ambitions.