Reports suggest that Israel's foreign intelligence agency, Mossad, carried out a multi-year operation to recruit former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The goal was to position him as a potential new leader to replace the current religious government in Tehran.

報導指出，以色列對外情報機構 Mossad 執行了一項為期多年的行動，旨在招攬伊朗前總統馬哈茂德·艾哈邁尼賈德。其目標是將他定位為潛在的新領導人，以取代德黑蘭目前的宗教政府。

The mission, called 'Operation Puss in Boots,' was based on the growing conflict between Ahmadinejad and the Iranian religious leadership, particularly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This relationship worsened after the Guardian Council repeatedly blocked Ahmadinejad from running for president after 2013. Consequently, Ahmadinejad changed his strategy by learning English, altering his appearance, and criticizing the government's treatment of protesters. Israeli intelligence believed these changes, combined with Ahmadinejad's view that international sanctions made the current regime unstable, created an opportunity for cooperation.

這項名為「長靴貓行動」的任務，是基於艾哈邁尼賈德與伊朗宗教領導層（特別是最高領袖哈梅內）之間日益加劇的衝突。在監護委員會反覆阻止艾哈邁尼賈德在 2013 年後參選總統之後，兩者關係變得更糟。因此，艾哈邁尼賈德改變了策略，開始學習英文、改變形象，並批評政府對抗議者的處理方式。以色列情報部門認為，這些改變加上艾哈邁尼賈德認為國際制裁令現有政權不穩定，因此創造了合作機會。

To execute the plan, Mossad used Hungary as a neutral meeting place. In 2024 and 2025, Ahmadinejad visited Ludovika University of Public Service under the pretense of attending climate change conferences, which allowed him to meet with Mossad agents. This mission was so important that Mossad Director David Barnea personally traveled to Budapest, prioritizing this over security meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Gaza conflict. Furthermore, the former president allegedly received money for travel and housing, and the CIA was later informed about the contact.

為了執行計劃，Mossad 使用匈牙利作為中立會面地點。在 2024 年和 2025 年，艾哈邁尼賈德假借出席氣候變化會議之名，到訪盧多維卡公共服務大學，從而得以與 Mossad 特工見面。這項任務非常重要，以至於 Mossad 局長 David Barnea 親自前往布達佩斯，甚至優先於與總理內塔尼亞胡就加薩衝突舉行的安全會議。此外，據稱前總統收到了旅行與住宿費用，而 CIA 隨後也被告知關於此次接觸的消息。

However, there was significant disagreement within the Israeli government. Former national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir expressed doubts, and Zamir even tried to stop the mission just three days before it began. Despite this, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted on moving forward. The operation reached a climax on February 28 during joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran. After a strike near his home, Mossad agents reportedly moved Ahmadinejad to a safe house in Tehran to protect him and prepare him for a future leadership role.

然而，以色列政府內部存在顯著分歧。前國家安全顧問 Tzachi Hanegbi 與 IDF 參謀長 Eyal Zamir 表示懷疑，Zamir 甚至在行動開始前三天嘗試阻止。儘管如此，總理內塔尼亞胡仍堅持推進。行動在 2 月 28 日美以聯合打擊伊朗之時達到高潮。據報在艾哈邁尼賈德住所附近遭受襲擊後，Mossad 特工將他移至德黑蘭的一間安全屋，以保護他並為其未來擔任領導角色做準備。

The operation ultimately failed because Ahmadinejad was unhappy with the rescue conditions. He left the safe house and was subsequently captured by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

這次行動最終失敗，是因為艾哈邁尼賈德對救援條件不滿意。他離開了安全屋，隨後被伊斯蘭革命衛隊（IRGC）逮捕。