SAEDNEWS: A conservative political activist and former presidential adviser said that, according to inquiries among acquaintances, the individual in question has reportedly traveled to visit a close associate. However, he is also said to own a private villa that he typically visits.
According to the political desk of Saed News, quoting Khabar Online, 16 years ago—during a visit to Qatar—Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of Israeli attacks on Iran, saying that due to Iran’s retaliatory measures, there was in “real-world terms, no practical basis” for such an attack. At the time, he likely did not imagine a future in which Tehran and Tel Aviv, along with the United States, would become engaged in direct and intense military confrontation, with repercussions even reaching his own home.
The discussion concerns Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president of Iran (ninth and tenth administrations), who since taking office in 2005 adopted strong rhetoric against Israel and on the Holocaust issue. Before his rise to power, Iran–Israel relations were already tense, but largely limited to verbal confrontation. However, his presidency marked a new phase in relations between Tehran and Tel Aviv—one that, during the 2000s, included assassinations of officials and scientists, and in recent years escalated into direct Iran–Israel and even Iran–US military clashes.
Beyond the evolution of Ahmadinejad’s political positions over the years—which eventually contributed to his repeated disqualifications from presidential elections—the focus has also been on his relative silence and retreat from earlier positions regarding Israel.
Once known for describing Israel as a “stain that must be wiped from the pages of time” and calling the Holocaust a myth, Ahmadinejad in later years largely limited his responses to brief statements, even during major escalations. For example, after an Iranian Revolutionary Guard response to Israel in spring 1403 (2024) following an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, he said that any country that illegally attacks another must face consequences.
Even during a 12-day war period marked by intense political statements, he issued only a short message condemning the attacks and offering condolences for slain commanders, forces, and scientists. At that time, rumors also circulated about an assassination attempt against him, which was denied by his affiliated media outlet.
Known as the “Miracle of the Third Millennium,” Ahmadinejad—once a vocal advocate of resistance against Zionism—remained largely silent on Israeli actions against Iran during subsequent escalations, until reports emerged on 9 Esfand (late February) that he had been targeted in an assassination attempt allegedly involving Israel and the United States. Initial reports claimed he had been killed in an attack in the Narmak 72nd Square area, but these were later denied, with officials stating that only his bodyguards were killed.
Since the emergence of these reports, no recent photographs of him have been released. Apart from two statements—one following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and another regarding the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei—there has been no public reaction from him to ongoing political and military developments. This has fueled widespread public speculation about his condition and whereabouts.
Abbas Amiri-Far, a conservative political figure and former adviser to Ahmadinejad who later distanced himself from him, stated in an interview that according to mutual acquaintances, Ahmadinejad had traveled to visit Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and also spends time at a private villa.
Regarding his health, Amiri-Far said nothing serious had happened to him, though he had reportedly suffered from shockwave effects and a minor leg injury. He added that close associates claim he is in stable condition.
On reports regarding the assassination attempt, he stated that Ahmadinejad’s residence was not directly targeted; rather, the attack allegedly hit a security checkpoint at the end of the street, resulting in the death of three Revolutionary Guard personnel.
Addressing Ahmadinejad’s silence in recent political events, Amiri-Far remarked that he is unpredictable—sometimes active, sometimes silent—and that his behavior is difficult to interpret. He added that Ahmadinejad has likely remained out of public view to avoid detection.
As of now, questions surrounding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s current location and status remain unanswered, with no official public appearance or statement confirming his situation.
