Early War Goal Was to Install Hard Line Former President as Iran’s Leader

Early War Goal Was to Install Hard Line Former President as Iran’s Leader: An Israeli strike designed to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest in Tehran, U.S. officials said, was part of an effort to bring about regime change and put him in power. By Mark MazzettiJulian E. BarnesFarnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman (The reporters have been covering the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.) May 19, 2026 Days after Israeli