ISLAMABAD: Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is confirmed alive and safe, according to statements from his close aides, dispelling widespread reports of his death in recent airstrikes targeting senior figures in Tehran.
Initial confusion arose on Saturday when several media outlets, including pro-regime sources and international agencies, claimed Ahmadinejad was killed in a precision strike on his residence in the Narmak district of northeast Tehran. Those reports suggested the attack, part of broader US-Israeli operations against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure, resulted in his death along with several bodyguards from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
However, a close adviser to Ahmadinejad quickly refuted the claims. Speaking anonymously to Anadolu Agency, the aide stated he was in direct contact with the former president and confirmed that Ahmadinejad was unharmed. “I am in touch with him. All is good,” the adviser said, adding that a building linked to Ahmadinejad’s security detail had been struck, leading to the deaths of three bodyguards who were IRGC members.
Ahmadinejad’s political party, Dolate Bahar, issued a formal denial through its official channels, declaring reports of his “martyrdom” in the American-Israeli attacks as false. Iranian state-affiliated outlets, such as the Iranian Labor News Agency, initially carried unconfirmed reports of his death but later noted that associates close to him rejected the information outright.
This incident echoes earlier threats against Ahmadinejad. In July 2024, he narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt when his vehicle was sabotaged during travel to Zanjan for a religious ceremony. Security personnel discovered irregularities in his Toyota Land Cruiser’s air conditioning system, prompting a switch to another vehicle. The tampered car subsequently lost control and crashed, injuring others but sparing Ahmadinejad. Sources at the time linked the sabotage to internal elements, though no official culprit was named.
Ahmadinejad served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, known for his hardline stance on nuclear issues and vocal criticism of Western policies and Israel. After leaving office, he remained politically active, attempting presidential runs in later elections but facing disqualification by Iran’s Guardian Council. His survival amid the current conflict highlights the chaotic information environment surrounding the ongoing military exchanges.
The strikes, which began over the weekend, have targeted high-profile Iranian figures, including senior military officials and advisers to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Reports indicate significant damage to secure compounds and leadership gatherings in Tehran. While some international outlets cited unverified Iranian media for Ahmadinejad’s supposed demise, others, including China’s Global Times, echoed aides’ assurances that he remains safe.
Analysts note that such conflicting reports are common in fast-moving conflict zones, where propaganda, misinformation, and genuine fog of war contribute to uncertainty. Ahmadinejad’s confirmed survival may influence internal Iranian dynamics, as he has historically positioned himself as a critic of the current establishment while maintaining influence among certain conservative factions.
The episode underscores the high stakes in the region, with former leaders like Ahmadinejad potentially viewed as symbolic targets amid efforts to weaken Iran’s command structure. As operations continue, clarity on casualties remains elusive, but aides’ direct statements provide the strongest evidence that the former president has once again evaded reported threats to his life.