Former president ‘was US and Israel’s pick to run Iran’

A reported plan linked to U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials to reshape Iran’s leadership after military strikes against the country has drawn fresh scrutiny, particularly over the alleged consideration of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a possible political figure in a post-conflict government.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was apparently earmarked for a return to the top in Iran until events intervened.

During his tenure as Iran's president, Ahmadinejad fiercely opposed talks with the United States and repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel.

How Ahmadinejad was recruited to take part remains unknown.